The Billionaire's Silent Wife (Ryan and Eve) novel Chapter 154

Chapter 154 Kimberly at the Gate

Eve remained still, forcing herself to stay calm. “So what do you want from me?”

Kimberly’s eyes filled slightly, but she didn’t cry. She swallowed it down and stepped forward just a

fraction.

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“I want you to talk to him,” Kimberly said. “I want you to help him forgive me. I don’t deserve it, but I’m asking anyway.” Her voice softened. “Please, Eve. I’m asking as someone who finally understands what it feels like to realise you’ve ruined your own family.”

Camila crossed her arms. “Or you’re asking because you’ve realised your actions have consequences.”

Kimberly didn’t deny it. “That too.”

Eve’s gaze stayed on Kimberly’s face. She had expected manipulation. She had expected performance.

She had expected that familiar Ashbrook arrogance wrapped in a fake apology.

But Kimberly stood there with her pride stripped down, with no tricks in her voice.

Eve didn’t trust easily.

But she recognised something when she saw it.

Fear.

Not fear of punishment.

Fear of loss.

Eve exhaled slowly. “Why are you asking me? Why not go to Ryan directly?”

Kimberly’s lips pressed together. “Because he listens to you.”

Eve’s stomach tightened at that.

Kimberly continued, voice lower. “And because I know he won’t listen to me right now. Not after what I did. But maybe… maybe if you tell him you believe I’m sorry, he’ll at least let me stand near his life again.”

Camila snorted. “Stand near.”

Eve shot Camila a brief look, gentle warning, not correction.

Then she looked back at Kimberly.

A part of Eve wanted to stay hard. To stay distant. To say, No. Live with what you did.

Because Eve had been dragged through humiliation. Through fear. Through a public accusation she hadn’t deserved.

But another part of her, the part that had survived being alone, the part that had learned what it meant to cling to love when the world was cruel, understood something too.

Chapter 154 Kimberly at the Gate

People did stupid things when they were afraid.

It didn’t excuse it.

But it explained it.

Eve’s voice stayed calm. “You were loyal to the wrong person.”

Kimberly nodded. “Yes.”

Eve studied her. “And you were afraid of losing your brother.”

Kimberly’s eyes glistened. “Yes.”

Eve nodded slowly, as if letting the truth settle. “I understand loyalty. I understand messy friendships. I understand fear.” She paused. “But that fear doesn’t give you permission to destroy someone else.”

Kimberly’s voice broke slightly. “I know.”

Eve’s hand moved unconsciously to her belly again, a gentle rub that steadied her.

“I’m not threatened by other people’s opinions,” Eve said quietly. “Not anymore.”

Kimberly looked up.

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Eve continued, voice firm. “My marriage isn’t built on public approval. It isn’t built on your blessing or Leah’s blessing or Luan’s delusion.” She held Kimberly’s gaze steadily. “The only thing that matters is that

life.” Ryan loves me. As long as he does, I won’t let outsiders control my

Camila’s expression shifted, surprised by the softness in Eve’s tone.

Mitre’s gaze stayed steady, but there was approval in it now. Quiet.

Kimberly’s face crumpled for a moment, not into tears, but into something like disbelief.

Like she had expected Eve to spit in her face and instead found mercy.

Kimberly’s voice softened. “Thank you.”

Eve didn’t smile. “I haven’t agreed to anything yet.”

Kimberly nodded quickly. “I know. I just,” She swallowed. “I didn’t expect you to be… warm.”

Eve’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Don’t mistake warmth for weakness.”

Kimberly’s mouth twitched, almost a sad smile. “I won’t.”

Camila muttered under her breath, “She better not.”

Eve turned slightly toward Camila, “Camila.”

Camila lifted her chin. “I’m listening.”

Eve turned back to Kimberly. “I’ll tell Ryan you came. I’ll tell him you apologised properly. I’ll tell him you asked for forgiveness.”

Chapter 154 Kimberly at the Gate

Kimberly’s shoulders loosened slightly, relief flickering.

Eve added, “But forgiveness is his decision. Not mine.”

Kimberly nodded. “I understand.”

Eve studied her. “Is that all?”

Kimberly hesitated.

And Eve felt it, felt the change before Kimberly spoke.

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Because her body language shifted. Her fingers tightened again. Her gaze flicked toward the hallway, as if

checking whether Ryan might appear. Her lips pressed together.

Something darker sat behind her eyes.

Eve’s stomach tightened.

Camila noticed too. Her posture sharpened.

Mitre’s gaze narrowed slightly, assessing.

Kimberly exhaled and spoke quietly. “There’s something else.”

Eve’s voice was calm. “Say it.”

Kimberly’s eyes lowered. “It’s about my mother.”

The moment Leah entered the conversation, the air changed.

Eve didn’t flinch, but her spine tightened.

Camila’s face hardened instantly.

Mitre’s politeness turned colder, almost protective by force of instinct.

Kimberly swallowed. “She doesn’t stay down for long.”

Eve’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

Kimberly looked up, and now there was fear, not for herself.

For Eve.

“I’ve noticed patterns,” Kimberly said softly. “Quiet movements. Private calls. Subtle shifts in behaviour around her.” She shook her head quickly. “I don’t have proof. Not the kind you can hold up in court. But I

have instinct.”

Eve’s throat went dry.

Kimberly’s voice tightened. “And my instinct is telling me she’s planning something.”

Camila took a step forward. “Planning what?”

Chapter 154 Kimberly at the Gate

Kimberly looked at Camila, then back to Eve. “I don’t know. That’s what scares me.” Her voice lowered.”

She’s been too quiet lately. Too controlled. That’s when she’s most dangerous.”

Eve held Kimberly’s gaze, her mind moving fast.

Warnings were rarely given without reason.

Kimberly continued, “She’s angry. She blames you for everything, my record, Ryan cutting her off, the humiliation, the pressure with Steven.” Her mouth tightened. “She doesn’t see her own part in it. She sees

you as the thief who stole her son.”

Eve felt a cold burn spread through her chest.

Kimberly hesitated again, then said, “I didn’t come here just to apologise. I came because… I don’t want

her aiming at you when you’re pregnant.”

Eve stared at her. “Why tell me?”

Kimberly’s voice was quiet. “Because I’m guilty. And because I’m trying, finally, to do the right thing.”

Camila’s eyes stayed sharp, but her voice lowered. “Do you know what kind of thing she might do?”

Kimberly shook her head. “No. Only that she’s moving like someone who thinks she’s about to win.”

Eve nodded slowly, absorbing it. “Thank you.”

Kimberly looked relieved that Eve hadn’t dismissed her.

Eve’s voice stayed calm, but her eyes were hard now. “I won’t ignore this.”

Kimberly exhaled. “Good.”

Then she looked at Eve’s belly again, and this time she didn’t look away. Her voice softened.

“I’m sorry,” Kimberly said again. “For everything.”

Eve didn’t soften back, but she didn’t harden either. She simply nodded once. “Go.”

Kimberly hesitated, then turned toward the door.

Camila watched her like a hawk. Mitre followed her movement with quiet vigilance.

At the threshold, Kimberly paused and looked back at Eve.

“Thank you,” she said quietly. “For being warmer than I deserve.”

Eve’s voice was flat. “Don’t make me regret it.”

Kimberly nodded once, then left.

Eve stood still for a moment after the door closed, her hand pressed over her belly.

Camila finally exhaled. “Do you believe her?”

Eve’s eyes stayed on the door. “I believe she meant the apology.”

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Chapter 154 Kimberly at the Gate

Mitre’s voice was low. “And the warning?”

Eve’s jaw tightened. “I don’t know. But I won’t gamble with it.”

Camila moved closer, touching Eve’s arm gently. “Ryan needs to hear this.”

Eve nodded. “He will.”

Ryan came home later that evening.

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