The Billionaire's Silent Wife (Ryan and Eve) novel Chapter 121

Chapter 121 Inheritance of Fire 2

+25 Points

Leah laughed, bitter and fractured. “You think I don’t see the consequences? My daughter is under

investigation. My husband is being questioned. Reporters are outside my gate every day. When I go out, I

hear whispers.” Her expression twisted. “I don’t need sympathy. I need loyalty.”

“Loyalty and silence are not the same thing,” Eve said.

Leah’s hand tapped the desk, light, sharp. “You were supposed to be temporary.”

Eve blinked once. “I beg your pardon?”

“You were supposed to come and go,” Leah spat. “Marry Ryan, serve your purpose, leave when the

problem was solved. We were going to clean up the mess, prevent a scandal, move on. And you left, good. Perfect. Quiet. We would have separated eventually.”

Something cold settled in Eve’s chest.

“Separated quietly,” she repeated. “Like I was furniture.”

“You were part of a deal,” Leah said bluntly. “The deal was supposed to end. Then your father accused my son of murder, and we had to find you and bring you back to exonerate him. Then you decided you

wouldn’t leave.”

“The deal involved me,” Eve said, her voice sharpening for the first time. “My body. My life. My future.”

“And you were compensated,” Leah said coldly. “Handsomely.”

Eve’s breath hitched. “I didn’t take that money for myself.”

Leah rolled her eyes. “I don’t care what charity story you’ve told Ryan. The point is, you weren’t supposed to stay.” Her eyes narrowed. “I suppose you blackmailed him with that baby in your womb.”

Eve’s gaze lifted, steady. “Is that what you want to believe?”

Leah’s mouth tightened. “Someone who couldn’t spare you the time of day now suddenly in love with you?

Because my son is weak where family is concerned. Because he clings to you like a drowning man clings to driftwood.” Her voice sharpened into cruelty. “And I know it’s because he believes that is his baby.”

For a fleeting second, Eve’s expression softened, only because Ryan’s name was a wound and a refuge at

once.

“No,” she said quietly. “Because he chose me.”

Leah’s jaw tensed.

“Ryan and I might have started on the wrong foot,” Eve went on, voice steady, “but he changed. He apologised. He fought for us. He fought for me.” Her eyes sharpened. “You didn’t lose him to me. You lost him to your own choices.”

Leah leaned forward, fury blazing. “You arrogant,

”

1.3

Chapter 121 inhentance of Fire 2

+25 Pants

“I’m not arrogant,” Eve interrupted, calm again. “I’m tired. Tired of carrying the blame for fractures I didn’t

create.”

Leah’s stare burned. “You think you’re better than me?”

“No,” Eve said. “I think I’m different from you.”

“You think you know my son better than I do?” Leah demanded.

Eve held her gaze. “I think you never stopped to ask him who he is when he isn’t performing for

Leah scoffed, but she flinched, small, involuntary.

you.”

“You don’t trust him with your truth,” Eve continued, softer, deadlier. “You ask him for obedience and call it

love. You demand devotion and call it loyalty.” Her voice didn’t rise, but it filled the room. “He owes you

gratitude for what you did right. He does not owe you his moral compass. He does not owe you his silence when you’re wrong.”

Leah’s laugh was sharp, broken. “Listen to you. Sitting there in an office my son gave you, with a child in your belly, speaking to me like an equal.”

Eve’s lips curved in a sad, small smile. “We’re not equals,” she said. “And we don’t play the same role in his

life.”

Leah’s eyes narrowed. “So you admit it. You stole him.”

Eve’s gaze stayed steady. “No. You pushed him. Every time he didn’t behave like a puppet, you punished him. And when he finally stepped away, you blamed whoever was closest.”

Leah swallowed.

“You keep insisting outsiders infiltrated your family,” Eve added. “My father. Me.” Her eyes narrowed. “But you never ask why so many people feel wronged. You never ask what your family did first.”

Leah’s stare sharpened. “Don’t you dare put us on the same lèvel as that driver.”

“My father rendered a service and was paid,” Eve said evenly. “There was no pity. You needed him. He did his job. You benefited.” A beat. “That’s not generosity. That’s business.”

Leah’s mouth thinned.

“And as for you and your son…” Eve paused, letting the silence sharpen the room, “you don’t need anyone’s

help to sour that relationship.”

Leah’s nostrils flared. “That’s not true.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify