The Billionaire's Silent Wife (Ryan and Eve) novel Chapter 174

174 The Reluctant Help 3

Steven’s eyes flicked to Eve, and the look in them made her chest go cold.

“Eve,” Steven whispered, voice hoarse. “I’m trying to protect you two.”

Eve’s throat tightened with anger so sharp it almost steadied her. “Protect us?”

Steven’s shoulders sagged. “You don’t understand what they’ve done. If the world knows the Ashbrooks will be done for, and that means Ryan and my grandchild will be affected too. I was never going to tell on

them, you know. I just wanted them to pay.”

Ryan’s voice cut in, controlled. “Then explain.”

Steven’s mouth trembled. “I can’t.”

Ryan’s eyes hardened. “Then you don’t get my help.”

Steven looked like he’d been hit.

Eve stepped forward before she could stop herself. “Father.”

Steven’s gaze snapped to her.

Eve’s voice shook, but it didn’t break. “Are you willing to risk your fiancée’s life for that secret.”

Steven froze.

The question hung in the air like a verdict.

Steven’s face contorted, rage, shame, grief battling. He opened his mouth, then shut it. He swallowed

hard, eyes wet again.

He didn’t answer.

Eve felt something inside her snap, something old and tired.

Ryan’s jaw clenched. He stared at Steven like he wanted to shake him.

Then Ryan stepped back sharply, anger tightening every line of his body.

“This is why I don’t help you,” Ryan said, voice low and dangerous. “Because even now, even when she’s

missing, you’re still choosing control.”

Steven flinched. “Ryan,”

“No,” Ryan cut in. “You called me because you’re afraid. But you still want to keep the weapon hidden so

you can decide when it fires.”

Steven’s voice cracked. “You don’t understand,”

Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “I understand exactly.”

174 The Reluctant Help 3

Eve’s chest tightened. “Ryan, ”

Ryan turned to her, the cold in his eyes sharp. “We’re leaving.”

Eve hesitated, looking at Steven.

Steven’s face was wrecked.

His shoulders sagged.

His mouth trembled like he wanted to beg and couldn’t.

“Eve,” he rasped. “Please.”

Eve’s throat tightened.

For a second, she saw him, the father she’d wanted. The man who had once held her when she was small. The man grief had twisted into brutality.

But then she remembered Alissa’s warm smile.

And the emptiness of Steven’s answer.

Eve shook her head slowly, tears burning. “Tell the truth,” she whispered. “Before it’s too late.”

Steven didn’t respond.

Ryan’s hand found Eve’s wrist, not harsh, just firm enough to pull her from the moment.

Eve let him.

They walked out.

Steven’s voice followed them, broken. “Ryan!”

Ryan didn’t turn back.

Eve didn’t either.

As they got into the car, Eve’s hands trembled in her lap. Ryan started the engine with controlled force.

He drove away too fast, not reckless, but angry enough that the movement felt sharp.

Eve stared out the window, swallowing the ache in her throat.

Ryan’s voice came tight. “He’s impossible.”

Eve didn’t answer.

Ryan’s jaw flexed. “He’s asking for help while holding a knife behind his back.”

Eve whispered, “Alissa is missing.”

Ryan’s grip tightened. “And he’s still choosing secrets.”

Eve’s throat tightened. “Maybe he’s terrified.”

174 The Reluctant Help

Ryan’s voice snapped. “Terrified doesn’t excuse selfishness.”

Eve flinched, then forced herself to speak. “So what do we do.”

Ryan didn’t answer for several seconds. When he did, his voice was colder. “We let the police handle it.”

Eve’s stomach turned. “Ryan, you don’t even believe the police will handle it.”

Ryan’s gaze stayed forward. “I believe the police will do what they can.”

Eve whispered, “And if Leah is involved.”

Ryan’s jaw tightened. “Then we watch carefully.”

Eve’s chest tightened. “You said we needed to be careful.”

Ryan didn’t look at her. “And we do.”

The rest of the drive passed in silence thick enough to choke.

When they arrived home, the house felt too quiet again, wide, clean, indifferent.

Eve stepped inside and felt exposed immediately, like Camila’s warmth had been the only thing insulating

her from the world.

Ryan shut the door with controlled finality.

Eve turned to him, voice tight. “What now.”

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