The Billionaire's Silent Wife (Ryan and Eve) novel Chapter 162

Chapter 162 A Father Who Won’t Be Laughed At 4

Eve’s throat tightened, tears threatening now, but she forced them down because she refused to give

Steven the satisfaction of breaking her in front of everyone.

Steven stared at her, his face tightening in a way that looked like pain trying to escape and being shoved

back down.

For a second, one brief, aching second, he looked like a man who wanted to say something else.

Something softer.

Something true.

But Steven Reynolds didn’t know how to live in softness.

He only knew how to rule in anger.

His jaw clenched. His eyes burned. “You’ll regret this.”

Eve’s breath caught. “Regret what?”

Steven’s voice was low, wounded and sharp. “Turning your back on the only person who ever fought for

you.”

Camila’s voice cut in, quiet but firm. “We fought for her too.”

Steven’s gaze snapped to her with contempt. “You fought for a story. You wanted a daughter to save.”

Camila didn’t flinch. “No. We wanted a daughter to love.”

Mitre’s voice was calm. “And she wanted a family that didn’t hurt her.”

Steven’s chest rose and fell hard.

Then he looked at Eve one last time.

His eyes were furious.

Wounded.

Burning.

And beneath it, something else Eve hadn’t seen clearly before, grief that never healed, grief that hardened

into brutality, grief that had turned him into a man who could not bear to be powerless.

His voice shook slightly when he spoke again. “Do you think I wanted to be the villain?”

Eve stared at him, torn in half.

“I don’t know,” she whispered.

Steven’s mouth tightened. He nodded once, sharp, like her answer had stabbed him.

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<Chapter 162 A Father Who Won’t Be Laughed At 4

Then he turned abruptly and walked out.

Not calmly.

Not with dignity.

With the furious stride of a man leaving before someone could see him fall apart.

Ryan didn’t follow him outside. He stood in the doorway, watching until Steven reached the gate.

Then he closed the door.

The click of the lock sounded too loud.

Too final.

Eve’s legs felt weak.

The adrenaline drained out of her so fast it left her hollow.

Camila’s hand tightened gently around Eve’s arm. “Breathe, my love.”

Eve tried.

Her breath came shaky.

Mitre stood still for a moment, jaw tight, then muttered, “Coward.”

Camila shot him a look, not because she disagreed, but because she didn’t want Eve to carry more

sharpness than she already was.

Cham

Eve turned slightly away, pressing her hand to her stomach instinctively as if to protect the baby from the emotional tremor moving through her.

Shame rose in her chest, hot, humiliating.

Because even after everything, there was still a part of her that ached for him.

A part that wanted him to come back, not as a tyrant, but as a father.

And hating herself for that part hurt almost as much as Steven’s words.

Camila stepped closer, voice gentle but firm. “You don’t owe him your peace.”

Eve nodded stiffly, unable to speak.

Mitre’s voice was low. “He came to claim you. He didn’t come to love you.”

Eve swallowed hard.

Ryan stood a few steps away, watching Eve with that strange quiet focus he had developed since she returned, like he was learning how to approach her without harming her.

He moved slowly, as if sudden movement might break her.

Cim

Chapter 162 A Father Who Won’t Be Laughed At 4

“Camila,” Ryan said quietly, “Mitre. Give her a moment.”

Camila hesitated, then nodded. She brushed her fingers lightly against Eve’s shoulder. “We’re in the

kitchen.”

Mitre gave Eve one more hard look, protective, angry, then followed his wife.

The moment they left, the house felt too empty.

Eve stood very still.

Her eyes stung.

Her throat ached.

She stared at the closed door like Steven might burst through it again and demand her obedience.

Ryan took a step closer, stopping at a respectful distance.

His voice was low. “Are you hurt?”

Eve shook her head quickly. “No.”

Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “Eve.”

Eve swallowed hard. “Not physically.”

Ryan’s jaw tightened as if he hated that answer.

He looked like he wanted to do something violent and couldn’t find a target that wouldn’t destroy her

instead.

He spoke again, quieter. “I can make sure he doesn’t come back.”

Eve’s chest tightened. “You can’t stop him.”

Ryan’s eyes held hers. “I can.”

Eve let out a shaky breath. “He’ll find another way. He always does.”

Ryan’s voice was firm. “Then I’ll end every way.”

Eve stared at him, her heart twisting.

“Ryan,” she whispered, “you can’t fight grief.”

Ryan went still.

Eve’s voice shook more. “He’s… he’s still grieving.”

The admission felt like betrayal.

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