The Billionaire's Silent Wife (Ryan and Eve) novel Chapter 124

Chapter 124 – What She Would Protect

Leah’s face twisted, the last vestiges of restraint slipping away like a mask that had grown too heavy to

wear.

“If you know what’s best for you,” she said coldly, every word sharpened with spite, “you will leave my son.

Take your bastard with you and disappear.”

The word sliced through the air.

Bastard.

It hung there, ugly and deliberate.

Eve didn’t flinch..

Instead, she laughed.

Not nervously.

Not defensively.

She laughed with a quiet, almost amused calm that made Leah’s eyes narrow in confusion.

“What,” Leah snapped, “is funny?”

Eve’s fingers spread a little more over her bump, thumb stroking absently. “My child,” she said evenly, “only

needs their father’s acceptance.”

Leah scoffed, folding her arms. “And you think you have that?”

Eve’s smile softened, not with weakness, but with certainty. “By father,” she said, “I mean Ryan. Everyone

else is… irrelevant.”

For a heartbeat, Leah just stared.

“You,” Her voice caught. “Did you just call me irrelevant?”

“In this context,” Eve replied calmly, “yes. You don’t get to define my child. You don’t get to label them.

Ryan decides who he claims. Not you. Not the Ashbrook name. Just him.”

Leah’s jaw clenched. “You arrogant, ungrateful,”

“I’m not ungrateful,” Eve cut in. “I’m realistic. You’ve made it clear you will never accept me or this baby. I made my peace with that the moment you called my child a bastard.” She tilted her head. “You’ve removed yourself.”

Leah cursed under her breath, sharp, bitter words in a language Eve didn’t know.

“You’ll hear from me,” Leah snapped, “You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”

Eve rose too, slow and steady.

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“Actually,” she said, “I do. That’s why I’m going to protect myself.”

Leah paused, “What did you just say?”

Eve didn’t blink. “I said,” she repeated clearly, “I’m going to protect myself.”

“From me?” Leah demanded.

“Yes,” Eve answered. “From you.”

Leah huffed a harsh laugh. “You ridiculous girl. You think you can,

“And I will be happy,” Eve continued, talking over her now, “to file a formal complaint at the police station

stating that if anything happens to me or my baby, you are responsible.”

Leah froze.

The words hit her like cold water.

Her eyes widened. “You wouldn’t dare.”

Eve’s tone didn’t waver. “I’ll put it on record,” she went on. “Your name. Your threats. The fact that you came to my workplace to intimidate me. The fact that you put your hands on me while I’m pregnant. Everything.”

Leah’s lips parted. “You, nobody will believe you. Do you know who I am? Do you know what my name,

“Yes,” Eve said softly. “That’s exactly why I’d put it on record. So if anything happens, the police know

where to start.”

Leah stared at her, horror flickering behind the anger. “You’re bluffing.”

Eve’s gaze didn’t move. “There are cameras in this building,” she said. “There’s a security desk downstairs. People saw you come up here. If you shout at me again, I’ll open this door and let everyone hear it. If you touch me again, I’ll walk straight to the nearest station.”

“You wouldn’t,” Leah whispered.

Eve met her gaze. “Try me.”

The silence that followed was thick and brittle.

Leah’s throat moved as she swallowed, eyes darting briefly to the glass wall and the vague shadows of

staff passing outside. For the first time since she’d walked in, her posture faltered.

“You’re threatening me,” she said, voice low,

“I’m warning you,” Eve corrected. “There’s a difference. Threats are about what I want to do. Warnings are about what I will do if you cross a line.”

Leah’s nostrils flared. “You don’t get to draw lines with me.”

“I just did,” Eve replied. “This is it. Right here.”

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Leah glared at her. “You think this little job, this office, this production makes you untouchable?”

“No,” Eve said. “It makes me visible. That’s the part you keep underestimating.” She nodded toward the glass. “I’m not the frightened girl you and your husband smeared on television anymore. I have colleagues. A team. A platform. If you decide to destroy me again, you won’t be able to do it in the dark.”

Leah’s fingers twitched.

“You will regret this,” she hissed.

“Maybe,” Eve allowed. “But I will never regret protecting my child.”

“Your bastard child,” Leah spat.

Eve’s eyes cooled. “Say that again,” she said quietly, “and I’ll have your voice on a recording before you

leave this floor.”

Leah faltered.

“How dare you speak to me like this,” she whispered. “I am your husband’s mother.”

Eve nodded slowly. “Yes,” she said. “And because of that, I’ve held my tongue longer than I should have.

But I’m also the mother of his child. And I’m no longer willing to pretend that your cruelty is something I

have to accept.”

Leah sucked in a shaky breath, shoulders rising and falling.

“I have been under pressure,” she said suddenly, words tumbling out faster. “Do you understand that? The police. The investors. Reporters outside my gates. They whisper about my daughter, about my husband, about me. I gave everything for this family and now people, ”

“Then take responsibility,” Eve said. “Tell the truth. Own what you did. Don’t come here and try to bleed on me because you refuse to admit you cut yourself.”

Leah stared at her, stunned.

“Get help,” Eve added softly. “Talk to someone who isn’t trying to protect your name. Be honest with Ryan.

But leave me out of your war.”

Leah’s mouth opened, then closed again.

For a second, she looked… lost.

It vanished quickly.

“You think the police will protect you,” she said, reaching for anger again. “You think some little report can

stand against everything the Ashbrook name still carries?”

“I don’t need them to protect me from everything,” Eve replied. “Just from you.”

Leah exhaled, a sharp, frustrated sound, and looked away.

“This conversation is over,” she snapped. “You’re delusional if you think you can threaten me and still sit at

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hapter 124 What She Would Protect

my son’s table.”

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