The Billionaire's Silent Wife (Ryan and Eve) novel Chapter 134

Chapter 134 – A House Bought with Silence

The day of the dinner party arrived with a weight that settled quietly over the house.

It wasn’t dread exactly. It was something more calculated, the kind of tension that came when everyone involved knew the evening wasn’t about celebration alone, no matter how expensive the house or how

polished the invitations looked.

Steven had upgraded.

That was the word everyone used.

A bigger house.

A better neighbourhood.

A more affluent part of town where old money lived behind high hedges and long driveways.

It was a statement.

A declaration of arrival.

And it unsettled Eve.

She stood in front of the mirror, smoothing her dress slowly, deliberately, as though the fabric itself could steady her breathing. She wasn’t thrilled about any of it, the house, the guests, the carefully curated illusion of success, but she had dressed well regardless.

Because appearances mattered tonight.

Not for vanity.

For survival.

Behind her, the sound of footsteps descended the stairs.

Ryan.

She turned just as he reached the landing, and the moment he saw her, he stopped.

Completely.

His eyes travelled over her in slow disbelief, taking in the soft fall of the dress, the way it skimmed her

body before curving gently over the swell of her belly. Her bump was visible now, undeniable, but the cut of

the dress honoured it rather than announcing it. She looked radiant, composed, breathtaking in a way that had nothing to do with glamour and everything to do with certainty.

Ryan swallowed.

“Well,” he said quietly, voice low and dangerous in that way she knew too well, “this is going to be a very long night for me.”

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She smiled faintly. “Why?”

Chow

“Because,” he said, stepping closer, eyes darkening, “if I ruin your makeup, we won’t make it to the party.”

She laughed, heat blooming in her cheeks. “Behave.”

He leaned in, brushing his lips near her ear. “I’m trying.”

“Try harder,” she whispered, but there was warmth in her tone.

He slipped an arm around her waist, letting his hand settle for a moment over the side of her bump.

“You’re sure you’re up for this?” he asked quietly. “We can turn around halfway. Or fake food poisoning

right now. I’m very convincing when I want to be.”

They both laughed.

He studied her for a long beat, then nodded once. “Okay, the second you’re uncomfortable, we leave. No

arguments.”

“Deal,” she murmured.

They left together.

Ryan drove, hands steady on the wheel, eyes on the road. Eve sat in the passenger seat, one hand resting instinctively on her belly as the city slipped past them, lights, streets, familiar landmarks slowly giving way to quieter, wealthier avenues. But not as affluent as their street.

Neither spoke at first.

The silence was not empty; it was full of unsaid things.

Eve broke it gently. “Do you ever wish things were simple?”

Ryan gave a short huff of a laugh. “I used to think they were. Then I realised they were just… hidden.”

“Hidden?”

“Under money. Under reputation. Under the Ashbrook name. We never had a simple life, Eve. We just had

better curtains.”

She smiled despite herself. “You and your metaphors.”

He glanced at her briefly. “You’re not having second thoughts?”

“About going?” she asked. “No.”

“About… him,” Ryan clarified. “About letting Steven back into your life at all.”

Eve was quiet for a moment. The streetlights rolled over her face, carving light and shadow across her

expression.

“I don’t know if I’m ‘letting’ him back in,” she said slowly. “We have to discover the secrets; only then can we be liberated, and you won’t have to be constantly looking over your back, afraid of what he will do next.

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Ryan’s mouth twitched. “Seems you found it.”

Steven laughed. “Some debts finally paid me back.”

Eve’s stomach tightened at the double meaning, but she said nothing.

Steven turned proudly. “This is Alissa.”

Alissa stepped forward at once, extending her hand to Eve first. “I’m really glad you’re here. Steven talks about you constantly.”

Eve blinked, startled. “He does?”

Steven lifted a shoulder lightly. “I’m proud of my daughter.”

The word still sat strangely between them, but he said it easily, too easily.

“Thank you for inviting us,” Eve said politely.

Alissa’s eyes softened. “I was worried you wouldn’t come. I told Steven I’d understand if you said no.”

“I almost did,” Eve admitted.

Ryan glanced at her.

“But,” she added, “some doors have to be walked through at least once.”

Alissa nodded slowly, as though she understood more than she let on. “Well… I’m glad you chose tonight

to walk through this one.”

They exchanged pleasantries. Smiles layered over history. Everyone pretended this was normal.

It wasn’t.

A server appeared with drinks. Ryan took sparkling water for both of them.

“No alcohol tonight?” Steven teased lightly.

Ryan’s gaze slid to Eve’s belly before returning to him. “Not when have something this precious in the

room.”

Alissa’s face lit up. “You’re expecting?”

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