Chapter 3

Eva stood with her parents and her in laws. She stood a few steps away from where her parents and her in laws stood. Jayden had stayed back for he had some paper work he had to deal with. Jayden followed his father's gaze who had seemed to be into something else. Eva stood alone quietly, behind her family, her heart pounding in her chest. The air was thick with uncertainty, and doubt gnawed at her resolve. She had just taken a step that felt irrevocable—a decision that seemed to echo with the weight of a mistake. Her throat tightened the cold wind whispered through the trees, carrying the haunting realization that she might have chosen the wrong path. Her thoughts raced as the urge to run away clawed at her, urging her to escape the consequences of her actions.

Just as she took a hesitant step backward, contemplating retreat, she heard. Turning around, with her checks filled with tears, she was determined to get away from everything, she just had to get away because she felt like she couldn't breathe it was suffocating. She turned around with the determination to leave, as soon as she turned around, she found herself standing in front of her father in law, locking eyes with the person who was now her husband . His gaze, a mix of curiosity and concern, met hers in the pale glow of the streetlamp. Time seemed to freeze as the gravity of the situation settled. The silence between them held a thousand unspoken words. Jayden was surprised with what he knew he read right in Eva's eyes.

"Are they tears?" surprisingly he found himself asking such a question. Eva's mind raced with a tumult of emotions, regret blending with the realization that she couldn't undo what had just transpired. In the midst of that charged silence, she found herself unable to read her husband's expression. The second she thought she had seen concern in his eyes that's the same moment that he expression turned cold. Her father in law took a step closer, Eva slightly took a step back and with a gentle yet searching look, he asked,

 "Is everything okay, Eva?"

Her throat tightened, and for a moment, she considered confessing her doubts. But as she looked at Jayden, her gaze met his, something in his eyes made her pause. There was a sincerity that once again quickly faded. In that moment, the urge to run waned, replaced by a hesitant acceptance of the choice she had made. As they stood together, the weight of uncertainty mingled with a spark of hope. Eva took a deep breath, and quickly removed tears that were on her face, silently acknowledging that sometimes, the journey forward might hold unexpected turn of events, she knew she shouldn't be showing them that she can cry. She didn't know them.

The journey back from the courtroom was silent, the chasm between Jayden and his family growing with each passing moment. Eva sat quietly her gaze staring out through the window, she signed before slowly closing her eyes. The city, still bustling with life, seemed to move on, indifferent to the personal upheaval within the walls of the luxury car that carried them home.

As Jayden stepped back into his office, the symbols of success that had once defined him now felt like empty accolades. The plush leather chair, the gleaming mahogany desk – all testified to achievements that rang hollow in the absence of the love he had lost. The corridors of his emotions stretched before him once again, this time leading him into the uncertain future shaped by choices and consequences. The grandeur of wealth couldn't mend the fractures in his heart, and as he settled back into the routine of business, Jayden carried with him the echoes of a love that felt like it had just slipped through his grasp.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the quiet suburban neighbourhood as Eva's parents returned home from the court. The air was thick with tension, and a heavy silence hung between them, laden with the weight of the decision they had just made. Eva's parents, although still dressed in the sombre attire befitting a court appearance, bore the signs of internal conflict on their faces. Their steps were slow, measured, betraying the regret that gnawed at their hearts. The weight of what they had done loomed over them like a dark cloud. As they stepped through the front door, the familiar surroundings of their home offered no solace. The living room, once a haven of familial warmth, now seemed to echo with the absence of the daughter they had sent away. The air was dense with unspoken words, regrets, and the suffocating realization that they had acted in haste.

"Where's Eva?" Evline, the youngest of the Clocks children, looked up from her note book as her parents entered. Her big brown eyes held a childlike innocence, unaware of the storm brewing in her family. Mr. Clocks, his gaze heavy with guilt, hesitated before responding. "She's... She's with a family for a little while, sweetheart."

"A family, which family daddy?" Emma asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Yes, a family, a friend of your father's they live away from here" Mrs. Clocks replied, her voice strained. "It's just temporary."

"But why?" Evlin's little brows furrowed in confusion.

Mr. Clocks exchanged a troubled glance with his wife. How could they explain to their youngest the complexities of their decision? The truth was a bitter pill to swallow, even for adults, let alone a child. "She needs some time away, sweetheart, judging from the situation she needed sometime away from the pressure" Eva's father attempted to explain, his words faltering. "To think about her actions." "But I miss her," Evlin said, her lower lip trembling. "When is she coming back?" Eva's mother fought back tears as she knelt down to Evlin's eye level, wrapping her arms around her. "Soon, my love. We just need to sort some things out."

In another room, the older Clocks children sensed the somber atmosphere. The eldest daughter, Isabella, looked up from her homework as her brothers entered the room. "Where's Eva?" Ethan, the second youngest, asked with a frown. His eyes mirrored the concern shared by his older siblings

. "She's not here," their mother answered, struggling to maintain composure. "She's staying with her new family, we got her married!"

"Why?" Emma inquired, her gaze shifting between her parents. Their dad sighed, his shoulders sagging under the weight of their decisions. "We thought it would be best for everyone. Eva needs to understand the consequences of her actions and you as well, if I don't agree with the man you're dating be ready to face the consequences of your own actions if things goes side ways, I have a reputation to take "

"But she's our sister," Carlos protested. "We should be together."

Mrs. Hernandez, feeling a lump in her throat, tried to explain. "We just want what's best for all of you. Eva needs some time away to think about things, and we need time to figure out how to move forward as a family."

"Is she in trouble?" Isabella asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Mr. Clocks exchanged a glance with his wife, grappling with the dilemma of how much to reveal. "Not exactly, but she needs to learn some important lessons. We hope she'll be back soon."

In the midst of this family turmoil, Eva's absence cast a shadow over the Hernandez home. The decision to send her away had been made hastily, a misguided attempt at punishment that now lingered as a regrettable choice.

As the evening wore on, the Hernandez family sat down for dinner, the air heavy with unresolved tension. The clinking of utensils against plates was accompanied by an awkward silence, broken only by the occasional attempt at small talk. The absence of Eva's vibrant presence was palpable, and the regret etched on her parents' faces was mirrored in the eyes of her siblings.

Maria, still too young to fully grasp the complexity of the situation, stared at the empty chair where Eva would usually sit. "When is Eva coming back?" she asked again, her innocent inquiry cutting through the heavy atmosphere.

As the sleek black car pulled up to the grand entrance of the opulent mansion, Eva was woken up by the driver's sudden edge to hit the break which made her bump her head into the window. As she stepped out of the car and turned to the direction where everyone was herding she froze, eyes widened in disbelief. The sheer magnitude of the penthouse before her seemed like something out of a dream. Towering pillars, immaculate gardens, and a facade that spoke of wealth beyond imagination.

" Hotel?" she found herself asking herself

Her husband had already disappeared into the immaculate gardens. Her grandfather in law stepped and extended a hand to help her out of the drive way as the car had to go to the garage. Eva hesitated for a moment, her eyes still fixed on the sprawling mansion that now loomed over her. The grandeur of the entrance was enough to make her wonder if she had unwittingly become a pawn in a transaction far beyond her understanding.

Rolland, sensing her hesitation, smiled reassuringly. "Welcome home, Eva. I hope you'll find our house to your liking."

Eva managed a weak smile, her mind racing with questions. As they entered through the colossal double doors, she was greeted by a vast foyer adorned with exquisite artwork and a majestic staircase that seemed to stretch into infinity. A sense of unease crept over her as they moved through the lavish rooms. Everything seemed to sparkle with a level of luxury she had never imagined. She wondered if her family had indeed sold her off, exchanging her happiness for the promise of unimaginable wealth. Rolland led her into a room that could only be described as a ballroom, with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and gilded details that whispered of affluence. As she took in the surroundings, Amelia couldn't shake the feeling of being a stranger in a world that was simultaneously enchanting and intimidating.

"Eva," Rolland began, his tone gentle, "I know this is a lot to take in. What matters is the connection we build together."

Despite his assurances, doubt lingered in Amelia's mind. She wondered if the grandeur around her was worth the potential sacrifice of her autonomy. As she gazed out of the window onto the meticulously manicured grounds, she couldn't shake the feeling that the mansion held secrets, and she was just beginning to unravel them. The weight of uncertainty hung in the air, leaving her torn between the allure of opulence and the haunting suspicion that she might have traded her freedom for a life of luxury. Just then an old women came to the lounge where everyone was standing. She had a tray with a bowel in her hands as she walked towards them. Eva remained seated her gaze fixed on her. She was one proud old lady! That was something Eva recognized from the word go!

"I must be in the presence of that one women, one of the rarest names to come across, Evita! LIFE! " Belinda inserted as she spread her arms for a hug as soon as she had set the tray down, Eva did not know what to do she just gave her a hug shakily. Belinda gave her a warm embrace that Eva felt it was a genuine warm hug, she needed. Eva was quick to dismiss her out of her embrace but Belinda was quick to hold her hand a smile on her face. Belinda looked into Eva's eyes, she saw full emotions of betrayal in their depth, doubt, hurt, loneliness that was filled in her eyes. Belinda knew she could never read wrong, that was one of her best qualities that had been transferred to Jayden.

"Who betrayed you,? He hurt you didn't he?"

Belinda asked as she looked at her, in her mind. She could see the pain that was right through her, unfortunately Jayden saw a pretentious call planned by his grandmother. Belinda pushed those rushed feelings aside and smiled at Eva. "well I understand that this might have been a long day for you, so we're going to just have a small family ritual and then you can go to sleep." Belinda informed her. Rebecca reached where her mother in law and whispered asking what this family ritual was. Everyone was quite surprised that there was any family welcoming tradition but they decided not to ask. She handed a bowel to Eva for her to drink. Jayden looked at his grandmother wondering what she was up to especially when she called him as well to sat beside her. So eager for the whole process to pass he sat quietly without asking. She handed each of them a bowel full of warm water. It was just ordinary water, Eva realized. She looked at the old woman before she could think of drinking, she looked at the man who sat beside her, and back into the bowel. Eva shook the bowel slowly looking for traces of anything unusual but she couldn't. Jayden had already gulped his, Eva drank hers and returned the bowel back to Belinda.

Belinda smiled as she looked at both of them and asked the maids to show Eva to her bedroom. Belinda had already instructed someone to lock every door in Jayden's corridor and leave the one they had given to Eva opened.

In a dark, lonely bedroom, Eva was completely unaware of the power she had in her reach. She felt her body molding into a seductive trance, though she had no idea what was happening. Her thoughts were muddled and confusion swept through her mind. She suddenly made up her mind tucking off her clothes and moving to the bathroom for she hoped a cold shower would turn off the heat that was burning within her body. Eva felt something washing over her body as she stepped into the warm bathwater. It felt like her mind was momentarily liberated from her body and she opened her eyes as she felt a presence in her room.

"Who is here?" She muttered, her cloudy vision revealing a tall figure of man wearing a suit. His face foggy, yet oddly alluring. Eva felt something intriguingly unfamiliar within her body but she was unable to comprehend it. As she stepped out of the tub, wet and still wrapped in a towel, the man's eyes widened as he stared intently at her curvaceous form. He then proceeded to speak. 'Eva... is that you?' He croaked, his voice oddly comforting like a warm embrace. Eva barely had a chance to respond, but Jayden had already stepped closer and was gently tucking her wet tresses behind her ears. A soft morn escaped through her lips, she had never reacted to anyone the way she had and she seemed to have lost control of her own body. Almost too soon she pulled ou of his embrace, Jayden's attempt at controlling Eva had failed and she had escaped his grip. She had awoken and discovered her own power, a power she had never known existed but un fort

'I thought I had lost my way to our... bedroom. But, it seems I was wrong.' She could feel his warm breath against her neck as he fixed his gaze on her again.

Eva knew in her gut that it was not Jayden, the man she was married to. It felt like a stranger had taken ahold of her completely in that moment. Yet, despite this knowledge, she could not resist the temptation to indulge in his embrace. His hands felt like electricity on her skin, sending shivers down her spine. She felt powerless against this sudden sensation and could not help but succumb to it. Eva clung to him, her breath coming in short, choppy gasps as her towel fell to the ground. Jayden returned her embrace, twirling her around as if he were spinning her in a dream. His wet and hazy vision exposing his unending desire for her. She had been drugged with seduction pills that had taken over her body, yet her heart and mind had been swept away in this passionate kiss. Their tongues danced in perfect harmony with one another, Eva's body screaming for more as his hands effortlessly teased and caressed her skin.

The night was long and exhausting yet Eva could not get enough of this passionate embrace. The rush of emotions combined with the intoxicating effects of the seduction pills had made the night extraordinary. Eva and Jayden eventually made their way to the bedroom, exhausted but content. Eva lay there, her body numb from exhaustion and pleasure, yet her mind was still buzzing with powerful emotions and intense energy.

The next morning, Eva awoke with a pounding headache and a sense of disorientation. As her eyes fluttered open, she realized she was alone her in bed and naked! She could feel her whole body sore, panic set in as the memories of the previous night flooded her mind, and the realization hit her hard—

_She had slept with him!

She had been drugged!

She sat on her bed trying to recollect the whole night. She remembered she had been feeling odd after she drank the water from that old woman. She also remembered that she was not the only one who drank the water. "That old woman must have drugged both of them" she acknowledged, she remembered him calling her Susan!" He thought it was their bedroom with his wife, she realized with a jolt". She shifted to the bathroom where she washed her stained sheets. Eva had come to know that Jayden due to the conversation that was made in the car between Jayden and her father while they thought she was sleeping when Jayden was telling his father how confused he was to why would a normal wife accept him to have a second wife. Fueled by anger and betrayal, Eva controlled herself as she walked through the house, her steps purposeful and her gaze determined. She Belinda in the lounge where everyone was sitting as they had been addressing another issue, while Jayden had warned his grandmother to stay away from him. A sly smile on her face as she sipped her morning tea.

"Morning dear" she greeted her as she shifted to try to give her a hug. Eva blocked her with her hand, taking a step back. She raised her head and saw everyone's eyes on her, " morning," she greeted she didn't bother herself by trying to smile. Her gaze shifted back to the old woman in front of her, there was something about her which made it obvious to everyone based on her expression that she was a woman of boundaries. With the finest respect that was left within her she asked Belinda to move into a private place, instead, Belinda turned to where her husband was sitting and sat beside and looked at her. She folded her forehead it was obvious to which she was becoming increasingly irritated by this woman in front of her.

Eva couldn't contain her fury. "Hey you old woman!" she exclaimed, her voice sharp with anger. Belinda's face turned, Jayden shifted his attention from his newspaper. Everyone in the house quietly looked at her hoping she would go again, no one was sure if they heard right. "What did you do to me? What kind of sick game is this?" Eva asked as she looked down at the woman who sat in front of her. The elderly woman looked up, feigning innocence. "Oh! Respect yourself young lady!. I don't understand what is going on here." Eva's eyes narrowed, and her voice turned icy. "How dare you! This is not a game! You violated my privacy, my body! What were you thinking? You want to act like you did nothing to that stupid water you gave me yesterday?" she snapped her expression the evidence of how best she tried to stay respective. "I did what? Yo.." Belinda almost surprised, before she could finish Evan had interrupted her as she was making sound with her tongue. She wasn't surely buying what Belinda was saying. Eva quietly stared at Belinda. Her grandmother in law sighed, seemingly unapologetic. "You're young, my dear. Sometimes you need a push to discover your desires, I was surprised when your husband accused me of the same, but whoever did it….. ", Eva cut her off before she could finish.

Eva took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Before you worry about anyone else's desires, you should care about basic decency and respect. What you did was unacceptable, what is more shameful is that at your age you're trying to hide behind someone else," The elderly woman looked taken aback by Eva's assertiveness, but Eva wasn't done. "This better not repeat itself again, and you better have to learn to respect people's decisions, I am not an eighteen year old who is trying out new things. And don't even think about playing your little tricks again. I don't know what ever deal you made with each of my parents, I don't want to know please and stay the f**k away from me! "

 Eva turned on her heel and walked away. She needed space to process the whirlwind of emotions and to reclaim her sense of self, just then she herd an unexpected question thrown to her. " do you think you have that right to any question to any member of this family? What is your worth? Who do you think you're, your own family didn't even want to meet your in laws you must have been…." Susan kept quiet as her gaze met Eva's. Her eyes had tears in them, "she is weak" Susan realized, she was more surprised than happy. " I used to be more than their reason to live" she replied her as she looked into her eyes, " but for the poor reputation is everything you see. The man I loved, the one who my dreams were on, who dream the same way with me decided to but his dreams first before our love and left for a concert on our wedding day" with that a tear roled down her check. She gave a short laugh, " you asked the wrong question, the question should be 'what did you do to deserve this' and I would tell you that ' I prioritized his dreams and made them mine and supported him that was mistake" she told her and was about to leave when Jayden's sister stopped her.

"Can't the mistake be that you loved him?" she asked. She didn't know why she asked but it felt like she would find a resolution between her and her own fiancé. " If I had made sure we kept our dreams away from our relationship I could have been married two years ago and I wouldn't be in this situation" she answered her and left. Returning to her room, Eva gathered her thoughts. She knew she had to prioritize her own well-being and self-respect. Determined to regain control, she took a shower to wash away the remnants of the night before. The hot water served as a physical and symbolic cleanse, helping her shake off the lingering discomfort. She felt exploited and she couldn't shake the fact that the wife of the man she slept with asked her a question and she seemed more than okay with the arrangement

Eva sat in the quiet corner of her new home, surrounded by unfamiliar walls that seemed to close in on her. The weight of the silence echoed her inner turmoil, and as she gazed out of the window, her thoughts whispered the unspoken questions that burdened her heart. "Why did they do this to me? Why did they send me away like this?" Eva mused, her eyes clouded with a mix of confusion and longing. She couldn't escape the ache in her chest, the yearning for the familiar warmth of her parents' love, especially that of her father. In the intricate dance of arranged marriages, Eva found herself bound to a man she barely knew, the union orchestrated to salvage the family's reputation. Leo, the man she was initially betrothed to, had chosen to elope, leaving a trail of shattered expectations in his wake. In the aftermath, Eva's parents, driven by societal judgment and a quest for redemption, swiftly arranged another marriage.

As she contemplated her circumstances, Eva couldn't shake the deep longing for her father's understanding. She wished, just once, for her mother to hold her hand and tell her that everything would be okay. But the reality was starkly different. Her father's anger, palpable in the air during their hurried farewell, left a wound that festered in her heart. "I didn't ask for Leo to run away. It's not my fault. Why did they have to punish me?" Eva's thoughts echoed through the quiet room. She felt the sting of injustice, the weight of decisions made without considering her feelings. The ties that bound her to this unfamiliar man felt like shackles, and the questions lingered, unanswered and heavy.

The memory of her last moments at home played in her mind like a haunting reel. She could still feel the tension in the air, the unspoken disappointment in her father's eyes. The rushed exchange of goodbyes held an undercurrent of pain, and as the door closed behind her, Eva couldn't help but wonder if it was a farewell to the warmth of her family or merely a suspension in time. In the silence of her thoughts, Eva revisited the day her parents introduced her to the man she was now married to. He was a stranger, a face in the crowd of societal expectations and familial obligations. The hasty meetings, the awkward conversations, and the exchanged glances felt like a blur, leaving her wondering if she had any agency in the course her life had taken.

"Why were they so eager to send me away? Was I just a pawn in their pursuit of respectability?" Eva pondered, the questions hanging in the air like unspoken grievances. She couldn't fathom why her parents, who had raised her with love, had chosen this path for her. As Eva sat in the unfamiliar room, the solitude became both a refuge and a prison. The walls seemed to echo the unspoken emotions she dared not voice. She longed for her mother's comforting words, the reassurance that she wasn't alone in this journey forced upon her. In the solitude of her thoughts, Eva imagined a different scenario. She envisioned her mother taking her aside, holding her close, and saying, "Eva, my dear, none of this is your fault. Leo's choices are not a reflection of who you are. We love you, and we're here for you, always."

But reality remained stubbornly distant from this idyllic vision. Instead, Eva grappled with the heaviness of her new reality, the weight of expectations, and the void left by her father's unspoken disappointment. She couldn't shake the feeling of being abandoned, sent away to navigate the complexities of marriage with a stranger. As the days turned into nights in her new home, Eva yearned for the familiar embrace of her childhood, the comforting presence of her parents. The loneliness of the unfamiliar space amplified the longing for a connection severed by societal norms and familial expectations. "Why did they have to send me away without understanding my pain? Without acknowledging that I am hurting too?" Eva's thoughts reverberated in the quiet room. She imagined her mother soothing her, saying, "Eva, we may not fully understand what you're going through, but we love you, and we are here for you."

The absence of such words left Eva adrift in a sea of uncertainty. The questions lingered, each one a testament to the emotional upheaval she experienced. In the midst of this turmoil, she clung to the hope that time might bridge the gap between her and her family, offering a chance for understanding and reconciliation. As the days unfolded in this new chapter of her life, Eva resolved to find her own voice within the constraints of an arranged marriage. The echoes of her parents' decisions still resonated, but she yearned to carve out a space for herself, to redefine her journey on her own terms. In the quiet moments when the weight of her circumstances felt unbearable, Eva summoned the strength to face the challenges ahead. She carried the unspoken longings in her heart, hoping that one day, the silent void between her and her parents would be filled with the understanding and compassion she so desperately sought.

Eva found herself perched on an elegant wrought-iron chair, strategically placed beside a pristine pool that sparkled in the gentle sunlight. The air was filled with the subtle fragrance of blooming flowers, and the distant hum of city life seemed like a distant memory. The estate's sprawling grounds seemed to go on forever, a testament to the opulence that surrounded her. Exotic flowers in vibrant hues dotted the manicured lawns, and a gentle breeze played with the edges of her flowing dress. Eva ran her fingers along the smooth armrest of the chair. The silence was broken only by the occasional chirping of birds, creating a symphony of nature that served as a stark contrast to the bustling city life she was accustomed to. Just what she needed as she had been through a rough week. Eva closed her eyes and let the warmth of the sun caress her face and she silently fell asleep.

Eva found herself in a situation where her everyday life was limited to be in within the steel gates of the Wills pent house. Her days become more familiar as days passed, the early mornings the sun would cast a gentle glow across the opulent penthouse, illuminating the spacious living room where Eva found herself engaged in an unexpected activity. Dressed in a almost modest maid's uniform, she moved gracefully through the room, tidying up and organizing with practiced efficiency. As Eva worked diligently, her hands meticulously arranging the scattered cushions and dusting the elegant furniture, she felt a sense of purpose that came with the mundane tasks. It was a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil she had experienced in recent days. Cleaning seemed to offer a temporary escape, a way to focus on something tangible amid the intangible complexities of her life.

In the midst of her cleaning, Susan, Jayden's first wife, entered the room with an air of arrogance. Her eyes narrowed as they fell on Eva, and a disdainful smile played on her lips.

"What do you think you're doing?" Susan sneered, her tone dripping with contempt.

Eva paused, a bit taken aback by the unexpected confrontation. "I... I'm just helping with the cleaning," she stammered, trying to keep her composure. Susan's laughter echoed through the room. "Helping? More like trying to act like the perfect little maid, isn't it? What's your game, Eva? You think you can just waltz into our lives and take over? I was the one who created a spot for you here"

Eva, despite the accusations, maintained a calm exterior. "I'm just trying to contribute. I don't mean any harm."

But Susan, fueled by jealousy and resentment, continued her verbal assault, it was okay then, but now she was pregnant! She was okay with it then but some part of her made her feel challenged. "Don't play innocent with me. I know exactly what you're doing. Trying to seduce Jayden, aren't you? You're not fooling anyone."

Eva's eyes widened at the unfounded accusation. "No, that's not true. I have no intention—"

Before she could finish, Susan interrupted, "Save it. I won't let you ruin what we have. Jayden is mine, and he'll never love you the way he loves me, have you ever looked yourself in the mirror, ooh please, you're lucky he touched you when he was drunk otherwise he wouldn't have touched you let alone looked you."

The tension in the room escalated, and just as the confrontation reached its peak, Jayden entered, a look of confusion on his face. "What's going on here?"

Susan, with a feigned innocence, pointed an accusing finger at Eva. "Look at her, Jayden. Trying to act like the perfect maid to get close to you. I won't stand for it."

Eva, feeling unjustly targeted, defended herself. "I didn't know you could act this cheap, for the record I was just helping. I have no ulterior motives."

Jayden sighed, a weariness in his eyes. "Susan, There's no need to make accusations."

But Susan, unwilling to back down, shot back, "You always take her side. This is our home, Jayden. Don't let her ruin it."

As the tension lingered, another force entered the room – Jayden's mother. With an imperious air, she surveyed the scene, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Well, well, what do we have here?" Katherine remarked, her eyes darting between Eva, Susan, and Jayden. "Seems like our little miss perfect is causing quite the stir."

Eva, now feeling the weight of disapproval from both Susan and Jayden's mother, struggled to maintain her composure. "I was just—" Jayden's mother cut her off with a dismissive wave. "Save your excuses. We don't need your help. Jayden," Jayden, caught in the crossfire, tried to mediate. "Mom, Susan, let's not blow this out of proportion. Eva was just trying to help." But Rebecca, with a cunning glint in her eyes, had other plans. "Jayden, dear, you always had a soft spot for the underdogs, didn't you? But we can't have her undermining Susan's position in this house. We need to set some boundaries."

As the three women continued their verbal sparring, Jayden found himself torn between his first wife and the woman he had been forced to marry. The penthouse, once a symbol of luxury and comfort, now felt like a battleground of conflicting egos and hidden agendas.

Jayden, seeking a temporary escape from the brewing storm in his penthouse, took Susan out on a series of dates. The lavish dinners, moonlit strolls, and romantic gestures were attempts to rekindle the fading spark in their strained relationship. Yet, beneath the surface of these seemingly idyllic moments, an undercurrent of tension pulsed.

Their first date was at a renowned rooftop restaurant overlooking the city. Jayden, dressed in a tailored suit, led Susan to a candlelit table with a panoramic view of the skyline. The soft ambiance and the gentle hum of conversation surrounded them as they perused the menu.

"Susan, I want things to work between us," Jayden said, his voice earnest. "We can't let the recent developments ruin what we have."

Susan, her eyes cold, replied, "Jayden, I've always been devoted to you. But that girl is trying to wedge herself between us. I won't let her ruin our marriage, she thinks that just because she finally got pregnant she has to establish some territory!."

Jayden sighed, a sense of frustration creeping in. "Susan, we need to find a way to coexist peacefully. We can't let this animosity destroy what we've built together."

Their subsequent dates followed a similar pattern – attempts at reconciliation marred by Susan's unwavering distrust of Eva. The tension between them lingered, casting a shadow over the once-passionate connection