CHAPTER 4

As the days unfolded within the confines of the Wills' house, Eva found herself navigating a turbulent sea of emotions. Initially cloaked in the unfamiliarity of her new surroundings, the passage of time revealed the stark reality of her situation, and the once-subdued resentment she harbored began to fester and grow. In the beginning, Eva attempted to find solace in the routine of her new life. She had been forced to fulfilled her duties as a wife, navigated the intricate dynamics of the Wills' household, and she was not even trying to build connections with her new family. Yet, with every passing moment, the emotional chasm between her and the Wills widened.

As her pregnancy progressed, Eva's sense of vulnerability intensified. The whispers of her unspoken pain echoed through the rooms, and the silence within the walls became a symphony of unacknowledged suffering. The absence of her family's inquiries, the deafening silence from her mother, and the indifference from her brothers became the backdrop to her solitude. With each passing day, Eva's love for her mother began to erode, replaced by a simmering resentment. The absence of a simple inquiry, a comforting word, or a gesture of concern left a bitter taste in her mouth. She wondered why her family, who had once been the cornerstone of her support, had seemingly abandoned her in this pivotal moment of her life.

Her emotions, once a complex tapestry of love and understanding, now warped into a collage of disappointment and bitterness. Eva grappled with the realization that the foundation of her family bonds was not as unyielding as she had once believed. The love she once held for her mother became a breeding ground for resentment, fueled by unmet expectations and the loneliness that settled within her. The Wills, oblivious to the emotional turmoil within Eva, continued with their routines. They were a family bound by circumstance, not by choice, and the unspoken tension in the air became palpable. Eva's role within the household transformed from a new member to an isolated figure, a silent participant in a life she never chose.

As her pregnancy advanced, Eva faced the challenges of impending motherhood alone. The absence of her family's support intensified the burden she carried. The love she had once reserved for her parents shifted, not only to a lack of understanding but to a growing resentment that settled like a heavy fog over her heart. Eva's reflections turned inward, and her once-harbored self-blame transformed into a directed anger toward her parents and brothers. She wondered why they never sought to understand her struggles, why they chose silence over inquiry. The questions that lingered within her mind became a silent indictment against the family she once believed would stand by her.

In her solitude, Eva grappled with the complexities of her emotions. The journey from love to resentment was a painful one, and she found herself navigating the uncharted territory of parenthood without the familial support she craved. The weight of her solitude pressed against her, each passing day a reminder of the unmet expectations and the growing chasm between her and her family.

The walls of the Wills' house, once silent witnesses to her inner turmoil, now seemed to close in on her. The love that had once defined her familial bonds was replaced by the harsh reality of abandonment. Eva, now on the precipice of motherhood, faced the daunting prospect of raising a child in a world where the pillars of support had crumbled.

As the days turned into nights within the confines of the Wills' home, Eva's resentment morphed into a stoic determination. The love she once sought from her family now transformed into a fierce independence. She steeled herself against the waves of loneliness, embracing the role of both mother and protector, determined to shield her child from the echoes of her fractured familial past.

***Jayden sat in his spacious office, surrounded by the polished mahogany and gleaming glass that defined the corporate world. The weight of his responsibilities at the helm of a multimillion-dollar empire felt inconsequential compared to the personal turmoil he was facing. Susan's constant accusations and distrust had become a relentless storm, clouding every aspect of Jayden's life. As he scrolled through financial reports on his computer, he couldn't escape the nagging reality that the child Eva carried was indeed his. The thought lingered in the recesses of his mind, a truth he couldn't deny, no matter how desperately he wanted to believe otherwise.

He leaned back in his leather chair, his fingers massaging his temples as he tried to process the complexity of the situation. His grandmother's machinations, Susan's jealousy, and the undeniable fact that he was connected to Eva through the impending arrival of a child – a child that would forever alter the course of his carefully constructed life. The memory of the night he spent with Eva haunted him. His grandmother's interference had blurred the lines between choice and manipulation, leaving Jayden grappling with the consequences. A child, innocent and unknowing, was the result of a night clouded by questionable circumstances.

Suddenly, a vivid image flashed in Jayden's mind – Eva's craving for pumpkins during her pregnancy. It was an odd detail that had stuck with him, a seemingly inconsequential aspect that now took on a new significance. Pumpkins, his favorite, and a food Susan detested. The realization hit him like a thunderbolt. The connection between Eva's unusual cravings and the undeniable truth of his paternity became glaringly clear. A mix of guilt and responsibility surged within him, and the weight of the impending fatherhood settled heavily on his shoulders.

Determined to address the situation, Jayden considered his options. The tension at home had become unbearable, and the office, once a sanctuary, now echoed with the whispers of his personal dilemmas. After a prolonged internal debate, Jayden decided that a change in living arrangements might be the solution. If he could distance himself and Eva from the prying eyes and judgmental whispers within the penthouse, perhaps they could find a way to navigate the complexities of their unconventional situation. As Jayden left his office, the decision weighed on him like a heavy burden. He had to act swiftly, not just for his own sanity but for the well-being of Eva and the unborn child.

The sun dipped below the horizon as Jayden found himself standing outside a quaint apartment building, a potential refuge for Eva away from the oppressive atmosphere of the penthouse. The decision to move her to a different space felt like a small step toward unraveling the tangled web that bound them all.

With the paperwork for the new apartment in progress, Jayden's thoughts turned to Eva's well-being. He recalled her fondness for pumpkins and how that seemingly trivial detail had offered a glimpse into the reality of their shared connection. Determined to make amends in his own way, Jayden set out to buy pumpkins for Eva. He visited a local market, selecting the ripest and freshest pumpkins he could find. The scent of the vegetables, earthy and familiar, stirred a mix of emotions within him. As he approached Eva's room, Jayden felt a sense of trepidation. How would she react to this gesture? Would she see it as a feeble attempt to make up for the complications that had arisen between them?

With a deep breath, Jayden knocked on the door. Eva opened it, a mixture of surprise and curiosity in her eyes.

"I brought these for you," Jayden said, holding out the bag of pumpkins. "I remembered how much you liked them."

Eva, taken aback by the unexpected gesture, accepted the pumpkins with a hesitant smile. "Thank you, Rol….Jayden. That's thoughtful of you."

Jayden, despite the complexities of their situation, felt a flicker of relief. Maybe, in these small gestures, they could find a way to navigate the uncharted territory of impending parenthood and the unconventional circumstances that bound them together.

Days turned into weeks as Jayden attempted to strike a delicate balance between his strained marriage with Susan and the growing connection with Eva. The new living arrangement brought a semblance of peace, but the tensions within the penthouse.

Turned into weeks, and turned into months. Eva maintained her distance with the Wills family. When they had their family meetings she found herself sleeping as she tried to excuse herself but would end up in arguments with Belinda in which she found herself irritated by Belinda in a more than normal way. Belinda had tried to take her to the doctor but Eva had always reminded Belinda to stay within her lane. She found herself more comfortable with the maids that she woke up early to help them work, even preparing breakfast. Rebecca had provoked her many times for trying to act out for her son but Eva ignored her. Eva felt tired as she had been sleeping the whole day. She had not felt like waking up that morning. Belinda was worried sick as she knew she would spent her days either in the kitchen or with the gardener but she had been in her bed the whole day, which was highly unlike the Eva she had gotten to know. Eva got down at dinner time, wearing a string dress which just slightly touched her knees. Judging on the chilliness' of the day Belinda decided to mind her own business for the very first time.

Eva stood by her chair browsing the table, she didn't feel like eating anything at the table. She opened the bowels, it was quite evident she was searching for something. " I asked the maids not to cook the pumpkins, we have had a lot of them these past weeks don't you think?" Rebecca informed her as she was becoming irritated by her. Eva made a move in the direction of the kitchen but Rebecca quickly grabbed her hand, Eva quietly turned to her and looked down at her. " for Christ's sake we have guests Eva" she whispered with pleading eyes. Eva returned to her seat and called for a maid and asked her to bring pumpkins for her but the maid told her there were none in the house. "your appetite for pumpkins can't it wait?" Susan asked irritably," someone might mistake you for a pregnant woman! No one has ever said that if you eat what's on the table you might have a miscarage " she inserted. Eva had been on her feet when Susan said something, Eva quickly turned to her direction, " why would you say that" she asked hoping she was just saying that for the sake of saying it. Jayden had a spoon at the level of his lips as if the whole scene had been paused. He turned gazed up to meet with Eva's questioning look, he knew she was asking if he had used protection that night. Eva cleared her throat completely ignoring what Susan had said and sat down determined to prove her room she reached for the stewed chicken in front of her. At the sight of it she changed her mind, closing the bowel and heading to her room only to emerge five minutes later wearing a tracksuit. "where are you going?" Jayden's father asked, Eva looked at him thinking of a possible lie that could get her to the market, if she couldn't have a pumpkin she would rather have watermelon. Looking at her any normal person would tell she was going to get a pumpkin, " I didn't eat my pumpkins yesterday check the fridge" Bob informed her, without further clarity, she disappeared into the kitchen.

Eva was surprised as someone was send to get her as she sat outside in the sunshine. She walked in to realize that a doctor had been called for her.

She was pregnant!

6 months pregnant!

Eva looked at her tiny tummy and shook her head before turning to her room. " they must be joking" she thought. She spent the whole week locked in her room, just asking for pumpkins. Belinda was dying out of worry especially when they got to know she was pregnant. Jayden didn't know wether to be happy or not but he was curious to what she was thinking because she had applied for an abortion and it was approved. It was by the aroma of fried fish Belinda thought would work for Jayden loved fish. He thought it was for him but was surprised as he saw his grandmother asking the maids to leave the bowel on her door and went back to take it, " I hope the child likes the same food as his father, if he/she does she will come" Belinda shared her experiment at the dinner table. Everyone looked at the stairs and returned to their food.

Surprisingly it worked, she shamelessly came down and retrieved the bowel of fish and sat on her chair. She silently ate the fish not bothering to ask who it was for it was it was just one. Eva's silence spoke volumes as she savored each bite of the fish. The subtle clinking of cutlery against the porcelain plates punctuated the otherwise quiet room. Belinda, unable to contain her curiosity any longer, cleared her throat and ventured to speak.

"Eva, we didn't expect you to join us. Is everything alright?"s he inquired cautiously.

.Eva looked up, her gaze meeting Jayden's. There was a glint of determination in her eyes as she addressed everyone at the table.

"You need to stop your dirty tricks. The abortion inquiry is for a friend, not me."

The words hung in the air, creating a pregnant pause. The room seemed to still, as if time itself had paused to absorb the revelation. Jayden's eyes widened, registering the weight of what Eva had just shared. The parents exchanged a furtive glance, their expressions a blend of surprise and realization. Eva's declaration cast a different light on the situation, unraveling the web of assumptions and expectations that had entangled the family. The unspoken tension around the possible pregnancy seemed to dissipate, leaving room for a new set of emotions to emerge. As Eva finished her meal, she pushed the bowl away, her gaze lingering on Jayden.

 "I'm done playing these games. If there's something you need to discuss, let's do it openly. I won't tolerate being manipulated."

With those words, she rose from the table and left the room, leaving behind a stunned silence. Jayden, torn between relief and a sense of unresolved tension, exchanged a hesitant look with his father, Bob caught a sense of relief in Jayden's expression. Rebecca and Bob, initially caught off guard by Eva's abrupt revelation, now found themselves reevaluating their assumptions about her priorities. The unspoken disappointment they harbored toward Susan's focus on a modeling career rather than family matters seemed to lose its weight in the face of the unexpected news. In the aftermath of Eva's departure, a heavy silence settled over the dining room. The lingering scent of fish hung in the air, a reminder of the unexpected twists that life could take. Jayden, grappling with conflicting emotions, finally spoke up.

"We need to talk," he thought, his mind tinged with a mixture of apprehension and urgency.

The day unfolded in a way that Eva could never have anticipated. It started as any other, with the routine tasks within the Wills' household consuming her time and attention. Little did she know that this ordinary day would become a turning point, a collision of her two worlds—the Wills and her estranged family, the Clocks. As Eva strolled through the local market with her mother-in-law, a familiar face caught her off guard. The Clocks, her family, were here, seemingly unaware of her proximity. Eva's breath caught in her throat as recognition flickered across her father's face. She felt a mix of anxiety and defiance, a surge of emotions that threatened to spill over.

In a moment of impulse, Eva turned away, as though the sight of her family was an unbearable weight. Her parents, unaware of her proximity, continued their conversation, and Eva silently walked away turning to the trolley side where she left her basket and walked out of the supermarket, desperate to avoid a confrontation in hurried steps she stumbled upon something losing her balance she almost fell, but luckily Jayden was able to rescue her. "be careful" he instructed turning to the direction she was coming from, "what are you running away from?" he asked his hand guiding her to the car. She knew he was not being nice at all, "he was just being a father". Eva pulled away from his grip hoping her cramps would go away, she rested her hand on her belly the other on her back and stood up straight, her face evident that she was feeling some pain.

As she stood in front of the car, she wasn't able to avoid her elder brother who had caught sight of her when she walked out of the market, Jayden watched her as she rested her back on the back of the car. 'She was in pain' he noticed and she was never going to let him help. Eva couldn't seem to be able to escape the echoes of her past. Her brother, Ethen, tentatively approached her, a mixture of concern and confusion in his eyes. Before he could utter a word, Eva cut him off sharply.

"stay away from me!" she snapped. Jayden turned to her direction as he heard her, he wondered if she was talking to him. To his surprise it was someone he could hardly recognise, Jayden stopped in his tracks as he noted some similarities in them and looked over to Eva. The bitterness that had taken root within her festered, and she couldn't bring herself to face the family she felt had abandoned her, her family walked over to their direction including her in-laws wondering what was going on. She sneezed, and with a wry smile, she claimed to be allergic to pretentious people, a thinly veiled jab at the family she once held so dear.

"Eva?" her brothers looked surprised as they tried to reach to her but she quickly shifted her wait once again she almost fell but stumbled up in Jayden who maintained their balance. "How could you do this to me?" Eva's voice trembled with the weight of her emotions. She turned to face her mother, her parent's eyes ablaze with a mixture of pain and accusation. "You both knew I had a family, a life, and you just swept me away like I was nothing. Like I didn't matter. Like some piece of trash!" Rosie, caught off guard by the sudden outburst, tried to offer a measured response. "Eva, we thought this was for the best. We wanted to give you a chance at a stable life."

Eva's laughter, bitter and devoid of mirth, filled the room. "Stable life? Is this what you call stable? I'm alone, pregnant, with a family that couldn't care less about me. Stable, indeed. Congratulations! " Her gaze then turned to her father, who watched in silence. "And you, sir. Did you ever stop to think that maybe I had a life, a family that loved me? You just agreed to this like I was some piece of property to be transferred. How much dad? How much was I worth. Please show me my price tag, maybe if you had given it to Leo he could have paid a better price" Her brothers, caught in the crossfire, attempted to speak, but Eva's torrent of emotions drowned out their words. "Don't you dare speak. You both have no idea what you've done to me. You think I will believe any set of crap that comes out of you? Nothing gets done without you three knowing."

"You think you can just send me away and everything will be fine?" Eva's words, laced with anger, pierced the silence. "You never once asked how I felt, what I wanted. You just decided, and I had to follow along." Tears threatening to break, she kept herself strong making sure she was never going to shed tears for them. "You, Father, with your reputation and your pride. Did you even stop to think how this would affect me? Your own daughter."

She turned her gaze to her mother, a mix of accusation and hurt in her eyes. "And you, Mother. How could you let this happen? How could you stand by and watch them send me away? I thought you loved me." The bitterness within Eva found expression in her words, the pain of abandonment woven into every sentence. "You caused all of this. Leo, running away, this marriage. How do you think he'd take me back now, pregnant with another man's child?

Her mother soaked in tears attempted to reason with her. "Eva, you have to understand, we did what we thought was best for the family." Eva scoffed, her laughter carrying the weight of disillusionment. "Best for the family? What about what's best for me? I'm alone, and you just let it happen. You let them take me away, and now!" she broke down, soaked in tears looking at her so called family. As Eva's parents struggled to find the right words, the tension in the room escalated. Eva's anger was palpable, and her mother's tear-soaked attempts at explanation fell on deaf ears.

"You don't get it, do you?" Eva's voice trembled with a mixture of rage and despair. "Your so-called decisions for the family have ruined my life. Leo was everything to me, and now he's gone because of your choices. And this child..." She rested a protective hand on her swollen belly, a bitter smile playing on her lips. "What kind of future will this child have now?" Her father, visibly distressed, stammered, "Eva, we didn't mean to hurt you. We thought..." "Thought? You never think about me, about what I want!" Eva interrupted, her frustration reaching its peak. The room seemed to close in on her, and her vision blurred. The stress and emotional turmoil took a toll on her, and she felt lightheaded.

Amidst the heated argument, Eva's breath became shallow, and her legs weakened. The last thing she heard before losing consciousness was her mother's frantic voice calling her name.

"Eva! Please, we didn't mean for it to come to this. Someone, call for help!"

In a panic, Eva's parents rushed to her side, catching her as she collapsed. Her mother desperately tried to revive her, shaking her gently and calling her name. A worried expression etched on her father's face as he fumbled for his phone to dial emergency service. Jayden rushed into the lounge as he heard Eva shout out for help, he was on his was way out with his assistant, he was in shock as he saw Eva unconscious in her parents' arms. Despite the complicated situation between them, a surge of concern and responsibility washed over him. Without a second thought, he scooped Eva up into his arms, her fragile form feeling lighter than ever.

"Get out of the way!" Jayden barked, his tone authoritative as he navigated through the tense atmosphere. Eva's parents stepped aside, their faces etched with worry and guilt, allowing Jayden to carry her upstairs to her room.

"Someone call Tyler, now!" Jayden instructed, a sense of urgency in his voice. A Remedy quickly grabbed a phone and dialled the familiar number, relaying the situation to the doctor on the other end. As Jayden laid Eva gently on the bed, he found himself torn between the resentment he held for the circumstances that led them to this point and the undeniable concern for the woman he once cared about. His actions were mechanical, a sense of duty taking over as he checked her pulse and monitored her breathing.

In the midst of the chaos, Eva's family gathered in the lounge, their anxious murmurs filling the air. Jayden walked out and faced them with a stern expression, his voice cutting through the tension.

"Stay here. I don't want anyone disturbing the doctor when he arrives. Let him do his job," Jayden commanded, surprising both his family and himself with the authority in his tone any foolish person would note a sense of care in his voice. The family members exchanged glances, realizing that, despite the strained relationship between Jayden and Eva, he was taking charge of the situation. They nodded in agreement, some casting wary looks in his direction, unsure of his intentions.

As they waited for the doctor, Jayden couldn't help but reflect on the unexpected sense of responsibility that had taken hold of him. He had never imagined finding himself in a position where he needed to care for Eva, especially given the circumstances of their marriage. "Damn it, Eva," Jayden muttered under his breath as he paced the room, his conflicting emotions surfacing. He couldn't deny the gravity of the situation, and despite their tumultuous history, the impending arrival of a child stirred something within him.

The door opened, and the Tyler rushed in, a bag of medical supplies in hand. Jayden stepped aside, allowing the doctor to assess Eva's condition. The room fell into a tense silence as the doctor worked, occasionally exchanging hushed words with Jayden about Eva's health. As the minutes passed like hours, Jayden found himself gazing at Eva, unconscious on the bed. Her vulnerability was starkly evident, and a wave of unexpected empathy washed over him. The thought of becoming a father, even under these circumstances, weighed heavily on his mind.

Finally, Tyler finished his examination and turned to address the anxious onlookers. "She's under a lot of stress, physically and emotionally. I've given her something to help her relax, but she needs rest. Keep a close eye on her, and if there are any changes, call me immediately."

The room breathed a collective sigh of relief, and Jayden nodded, his mind still grappling with the newfound responsibility thrust upon him. As the doctor left, Jayden turned to Eva's family. "She needs rest, and she needs to be monitored. I'll stay with her tonight. The rest of you, go get some rest. We'll keep you updated," Jayden declared, surprising everyone with his decisive stance. Eva's family hesitated for a moment, glancing at each other before reluctantly agreeing. They filed out of the room, leaving Jayden alone with the unconscious woman who was carrying his child. As the door closed, Jayden pulled up a chair beside Eva's bed and sighed, running a hand through his hair. The room was filled with an awkward silence, broken only by the sound of Eva's steady breathing. Jayden couldn't escape the complexity of the situation, the tangled web of emotions that surrounded their unconventional relationship.

"You really know how to complicate things, Eva," Jayden muttered, his eyes fixed on her peaceful yet vulnerable expression. "I never signed up for this, but here we are."

 In the quiet of the room, Jayden couldn't escape the realization that, despite his initial reluctance and resentment, a sense of fatherhood had started to grow within him. The responsibility for the life growing inside Eva was undeniable, and as he watched over her, a protective instinct he never knew he had surfaced. As the night unfolded, Jayden sat by Eva's side, a silent guardian in the midst of the storm. The room was filled with the weight of their shared history, the decisions that led them to this point, and the uncertain future that awaited them. In the hours that followed, Jayden grappled with conflicting emotions, wondering how a situation that once seemed so distant had now become an inseparable part of his reality. The night wore on, and as the first light of dawn crept through the window, Jayden found himself still seated by Eva's bedside. The room held a quiet tension, a reflection of the tangled emotions that lingered between them. The journey ahead was uncertain, and the path to understanding and acceptance seemed daunting.

Rosie, Eva's mother, sat in the quiet living room of their homestead, the air thick with tension. Her husband, David, entered the room, noticing the distress in her eyes.

"Rosie, what's wrong?" David asked, concern etched on his face.

Tears welled up in Rosie's eyes as she held back her emotions. "David, I can't bear to see our family torn apart like this. What we did to Eva was wrong, and I can't let it continue."

David took a seat beside Rosie, his brow furrowed with worry. "What are you talking about, Rosie? What happened to Eva wasn't our fault. We did what we thought was best for the family."

A heavy sigh escaped Rosie's lips as she shook her head. "No, David. We destroyed Eva's life. Sending her away, separating her from the man she loves, it was a mistake. And now, with the twins, we have to make things right."

David's eyes widened with realization, the gravity of their decisions settling on his shoulders. "Rosie, we can't change the past. What's done is done."

But Rosie, fueled by a newfound determination, wiped away her tears. "No, David, we can change things. I won't let our family be torn apart. Eva deserves a chance at happiness, and so do those innocent children. I don't care what people will say. I'll do whatever it takes to reunite Eva and Jayden."

Meanwhile, at the homestead, tension had gripped the atmosphere. Eva's brothers and her father, Richard, gathered in the family room, their expressions reflecting a mix of concern and disapproval. The news of Rosie's intention to reunite Eva with Jayden had not been well-received.

"Father, we can't let this happen," one of Eva's brothers spoke up, a frown etched on his face. "Our reputation in the community will be ruined if Eva returns to Jayden. It's a scandal."

Richard sighed, a troubled expression on his face. "I understand your concerns, but we also have a responsibility to our daughter. We can't abandon her when she needs us the most."

Another brother chimed in, "But Father, think about the impact on our business, on our standing in the community. People will talk."

Richard's eyes bore the weight of the decisions he had made. "I know the consequences, but I can't turn my back on Eva. She's our daughter, and she's hurting. We need to find a way to support her."

As the family debated the situation, the door creaked open, and Rosie entered the room, her eyes determined but weary from the emotional turmoil.

"I've made up my mind," Rosie declared, her voice steady. "No matter what anyone says, I'm going to reunite Eva with Jayden. It's the right thing to do."

Eva's brothers exchanged incredulous glances, and Richard's expression darkened. "Rosie, you can't be serious. This will ruin us."

But Rosie stood her ground. "I won't let our daughter suffer because of our mistakes. We owe her a chance at happiness. I'm going to find a way to bring them back together, and I don't care what the community thinks."

The room fell into an uneasy silence, the weight of Rosie's decision hanging in the air. The homestead, once a symbol of family unity, now stood divided by conflicting perspectives on reputation, responsibility, and the pursuit of happiness. Rosie, with a sense of determination burning in her eyes, left the room where the uneasy silence still lingered among the remaining family members. As she stepped into the quiet hallway, she reached for her phone, a device that would connect her with a person who had played a significant role in Eva's past – Leo.

The phone rang, and after a few moments, Leo answered, his voice cautious and guarded, "Hello?"

"Leo, it's Rosie," she said, her tone firm yet tinged with a hint of desperation.

There was a brief pause on the other end, and then Leo responded, "Rosie, what can I do for you?"

"I need to talk to you about Eva," Rosie stated, her voice carrying a weight of sincerity. "I know you've been through a lot, and I can't change the past, but we need to think about Eva's future."

Leo sighed, memories of the painful events resurfacing. "What's there to talk about, Rosie? I left her on her wedding day. I hurt her deeply, you married her off the second I was gone and I can't undo that."

"I'm not asking you to undo the past," Rosie replied. "I'm asking you to help us shape Eva's future. She's in a situation that she didn't choose, and it's tearing her apart. We can't let her suffer like this and please blame it all on me, now my daughter can't even look at me Leo, she hates me!"

Leo's voice softened, a hint of remorse evident. "Rosie, I never meant to hurt Eva. But I can't just waltz back into her life after what I've done and I know she blames me too."

Rosie took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. "Leo, we all make mistakes. Eva needs you now, if not as a lover, but as a friend. She's stuck in a marriage that was forced upon her, and she's carrying the weight of our family's decisions. I believe you can help her find a way out of this."

Leo remained silent for a moment, grappling with the complexity of the situation. "What do you suggest, Rosie?"

"I suggest you talk to Eva," Rosie said. "Convince her to leave that marriage. She deserves a chance at happiness, and I'm willing to forgive you for what happened. We all make mistakes, and it's time to make amends and I know she loves you, she can rather choose you over us."

Leo sighed again, the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. "I never thought I'd hear those words from you, Rosie. But I'll do it for Eva. If there's a chance to make things right for her, I'll try."

"Thank you, Leo," Rosie said, her voice filled with gratitude. "Just talk to her, help her see that there's a way out of this. I'll take care of the rest."

Leo agreed, promising to reach out to Eva and have an honest conversation. As Rosie hung up the phone, she felt a mix of relief and anxiety. The plan was set in motion, but the outcomes remained uncertain