Second Vows Adored by the Billionaire novel Chapter 21

Not long after, Victor came back. He looked relaxed, even cheerful. He lifted a small bottle in his hand and shook it lightly, smiling.

"Eloise, I went out of my way to get you the best prenatal support medicine," he said, voice warm and proud. "Imported. Very effective. One capsule a day. You have to take it, all right?"

Eloise stared at the bottle for several seconds, long enough to make the silence uncomfortable, before she finally forced a smile. "Okay."

Victor slipped the bottle into her bag as though he were placing a treasure inside, then pulled her into his arms.

"I can't believe we finally have a baby together," he murmured, his embrace familiar, his tenderness convincing. "You need to rest, and you can't do anything. Let Laurel handle everything."

Eloise's mouth tightened into a faint, bitter curve. "Victor... are you happy?"

He paused, then kissed her forehead and answered smoothly, "Of course, I'm happy. Why would you even ask that?"

Eloise covered her mouth, fighting the nausea that surged up again. "Nothing. If you're happy, that's enough."

Victor smiled, then shifted the subject as though it had been waiting in his mouth. "Beatrice has been rebellious lately. We should clean out that old apartment and move you and Laurel over there for a while. It'll be quieter."

A flare of rage shot through Eloise so fast she almost lifted her hand. She forced herself to breathe, forced her fingers to relax, then touched his face instead, as if the gesture were affectionate.

"Why wouldn't you have them move out," she asked softly, "instead of me?"

Victor lowered his voice, turning the blame into a private confession. "Because of what happened this morning. Anita's hurt, and it scared the baby. She said she'd go to the police station and report you for intentional assault. It took me a lot to stop her."

His tone softened, the way it always did when he wanted obedience. "They'll be here for one more month at most. This time you were the one who lost control. Just endure it, okay?"

Eloise didn't bend. Her smile turned cold. "I'm not moving. If anyone moves, it's them."

Victor's voice hardened immediately. "Eloise." He raised his volume just enough to signal authority. "You've always been sensible and considerate. What's gotten into you?"

When Chris came in carrying food, Victor was already gone.

The conversation had failed, and for the first time in five years, Eloise had refused him.

He had walked out with a terse excuse about work, but the truth was simpler. He was angry.

Chris didn't waste time with questions. She supported Eloise and marched her straight to Anita's ward.

They had barely reached the door when Anita's voice floated out, triumphant and careless.

Eloise sat beside her bed and spoke evenly. "I was impulsive this morning. I shouldn't have thrown the vase."

Anita lifted her chin, generous in performance.

"Beatrice poured soup on you first, but you still shouldn't hit a pregnant woman. Still, for Mr. Clarkson's sake, I'll let it go. Don't do it again, Eloise."

Eloise's smile returned, controlled and faint. "Then you should teach Beatrice manners."

She leaned in just slightly, her voice softening into something more dangerous. "Pregnant women can be emotionally unstable. If she hurts someone again, that would be unfortunate, so you should make sure she stays away from me."

As she stood, Eloise rested a hand over her abdomen.

Anita's eyes widened. Her face paled instantly.

Pregnant?

Eloise?