The Billionaire's Silent Wife (Ryan and Eve) novel Chapter 169

169 Second Mum 3

Alissa’s mouth tightened further. “Excuse my language, but,” She exhaled sharply. “No. I’m not excusing it. They’re scumbags.”

Eve’s heart thudded harder. “Steven told you that.”

“He didn’t tell me everything,” Alissa admitted, disgust still visible, “but he told me enough. Enough to

know that Leah is not the victim she pretends to be.”

Eve’s mouth went dry. “What did he tell you.”

Alissa looked at Eve for a long moment, then lowered her voice. “He told me your marriage happened

because of blackmail.”

Eve’s throat tightened.

Alissa’s eyes softened briefly. “And I’m sorry. I’m sorry you were put in the middle of something like that.”

Eve’s hands curled around her cup. “It wasn’t just blackmail. It was humiliation.”

Alissa nodded, anger flickering. “I know.”

Eve’s pulse sharpened. “So why do you still want to marry him.”

Alissa’s gaze held hers. “Because I don’t believe he was born evil.”

Eve’s mouth twitched, bitter. “That’s generous.”

Alissa’s voice stayed steady. “It’s not generosity. It’s… observation.”

Eve leaned back slightly. “What else did he tell you.”

Alissa hesitated. “He told me he despises them. He calls Leah a devil.”

Eve stared. “He said that to me too.”

Alissa’s eyes darkened. “And then he told me something that… that made my stomach turn.”

Eve’s body went still. “What.”

Alissa swallowed. “Steven didn’t retire.”

Eve blinked. “What do you mean.”

Alissa’s voice hardened. “He was dismissed. Pushed out. And he was paid nothing.”

Eve’s pulse jumped.

Alissa continued, her disgust now pointed at Leah and Jonathan. “Not a severance. Not a retirement

benefit. Nothing. Twenty-five years of service, and he left with empty hands because Leah blocked it.”

Eve’s throat tightened sharply.

The pieces shifted in her mind like blades turning.

Because that wasn’t just cruelty.

169 Second Mum 3

That was deliberate destruction.

Alissa’s voice dropped, more intense. “Steven’s entire career ended because he refused to help Leah cover

up a crime.”

Eve went cold.

“A crime,” Eve repeated, barely audible.

Alissa nodded once, jaw tight. “He didn’t tell me what the crime was. He never explained. But he said it was heinous enough to destroy livelihoods. He said Leah asked him to help her bury it, and he refused.”

Eve’s breath went shallow.

Alissa’s eyes flashed with anger. “And for refusing, he lost everything. That’s why he hates them the way he

does. That’s why he thinks they’re monsters in silk.”

Eve stared at her, heart pounding.

In her mind, Leah’s face surfaced, flawless makeup, polished smile, venom under elegance.

Jonathan’s cold voice at the table: Declare her wanted. Escalate to Interpol.

People who could weaponise the police against a pregnant woman could do worse.

Much worse.

Alissa watched Eve’s reaction and softened her tone slightly. “Steven is still holding back secrets about the Ashbrooks,” she said quietly. “Secrets he thinks would destroy Ryan and by doing so, it will destroy you

too.”

Eve swallowed hard. “He thinks the truth would destroy me?”

Alissa nodded. “He told me he’s protecting you by not saying it all.”

Eve let out a soft, humourless breath. “He always says he’s protecting me.”

Alissa’s voice stayed careful. “I’m not saying he’s innocent. He isn’t. He’s done terrible things. But… he’s also complicated. And he is still your father.”

Eve’s stomach tightened. “That’s not an argument for forgiveness.”

“It’s not,” Alissa agreed quickly. “It’s an argument for… for not letting the relationship rot into something unrecoverable if there’s any part of you that still wants answers.”

Eve stared at her cup.

Answers.

Information is power.

Eve remembered saying that to Ryan once, and Ryan agreeing.

This was information.

3/5

F69 Second Mumi

And it was dangerous.

Alissa reached across the table slowly, not touching Eve, just placing her hand close enough to offer

without forcing. “I’m asking you to patch things up with him,” she said. “Not because he’s innocent. But because there’s love in him, even if he’s expressed it through brutality.”

Eve’s jaw clenched. “Love doesn’t look like brutality.”

“No,” Alissa said softly. “It doesn’t. It shouldn’t.”

Eve looked up. “So why are you offering me this like a gift.”

Alissa’s eyes held hers. “Because I don’t want you alone in this.”

Eve’s throat tightened. “I have Ryan.”

Alissa nodded. “You do. And he cares. But Ryan is… hardened. He protects by controlling. It’s what he

knows.”

Eve didn’t deny that.

Alissa continued gently. “Sometimes you need warmth too. Not romance warmth. Not complicated warmth. Just… someone to sit with you when your mind is racing.”

Eve’s chest tightened unexpectedly.

Alissa’s voice grew softer. “I can’t replace your mother. I would never try. But I can be… support.”

Eve’s throat tightened. “Support.”

Alissa nodded. “A second mother, if you’ll allow it. Not a title you owe me. Just… a role I’m offering.”

Eve stared at her for a long time, suspicion and longing battling inside her like two storms colliding.

Eve didn’t trust easily.

But Alissa wasn’t demanding trust.

She was offering presence.

And Eve didn’t know what to do with that.

Eve forced her voice steady. “That’s kind.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify