The Billionaire's Silent Wife (Ryan and Eve) novel Chapter 46

Chapter 46 Shadows of Return 2

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Johnathan turned from the window, his face unreadable. “Maybe you should stop romanticizing her, son. She left you without a word. She made a mockery of this family. And now she’s returned for profit. It’s time you see her for what she really is.”

Ryan clenched his fists under the table. “You don’t know her like I do.”

Leah sighed. “Oh, Ryan. That’s the problem, you think you know her. But people like her, like her father, they live off manipulation. She learned it from him.”

Ryan’s throat ached. His thoughts were spinning, images of Eve laughing in their kitchen, the softness in her eyes when she whispered his name. None of it fit the greedy caricature they painted now.

Then Kimberly slid a printed receipt across the table. “If you need proof, here it is.”

He stared down at the paper. A transfer confirmation. Ten million dollars. The Rodrigos’ account number listed below.

“Apparently, she didn’t even want the money sent to her own account,” Kimberly said. “Had it wired directly to the restaurant owners she tricked. Probably part of her little con.”

Ryan’s vision blurred. It didn’t make sense. Why would she give it away? Unless…

Unless she wasn’t doing it for herself.

He swallowed hard, but the hope in him was dying fast. “You don’t know the full story.”

Johnathan’s tone was icy. “The full story is simple. You were warned. She was never one of us. And yet you chose her over your family. Now she’s coming back to clean up the mess she made, and you’ll do what’s necessary.”

Ryan looked up sharply. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” Johnathan said, “that letting her go would give Steven Reynolds leverage again. As long as Evelyn is bound to you, he can’t use her as a weapon. She’s the one thing that keeps him in check. You’d be a fool to let that go.”

Leah nodded in agreement. “You need to think strategically, not emotionally.”

Ryan laughed bitterly. “Strategically? You want me to treat her like a pawn again?”

“She’s not exactly innocent,” Kimberly interjected.

He turned to her sharply. “And you’re one to talk?”

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Her smirk faltered. “Watch your tone.”

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Ryan pushed away from the table. “I’m done with this. I’m not playing this game anymore. You all treat people like assets to trade. I won’t do it, not with her.”

His father’s jaw tightened. “You’re making a mistake.”

Ryan’s eyes flashed. “The mistake was letting all of you turn love into a transaction.” He reached for the paper on the table, folded it in half, and slipped it into his pocket. “I’ll return her money myself.”

Kimberly stood abruptly. “Be wise, Ryan. Don’t let her manipulate you again. She’s not the same woman you knew.”

He turned to her. “And how would you know that?”

Kimberly hesitated, her lips curling into something cruel. “Because I learned something else.” She took a slow step closer, enjoying the anticipation on his face. “Your precious Eve is pregnant.”

Ryan froze. The room tilted slightly. “What?”

Kimberly’s voice was quiet but deadly. “You heard me. She’s pregnant. And not with your

child.”

The words detonated inside him. For a moment, he couldn’t breathe. His mind filled with

static.

“That’s a lie,” he said hoarsely.

Kimberly smiled faintly. “Is it? She’s been living in Westwood for months. Did you think she stayed chaste while you were here drowning in self-pity?”

Leah sighed, rubbing her temples. “Kimberly, please.”

“No,” Ryan said sharply, “Let her finish.”

Kimberly leaned closer, “Face it, brother. She moved on. You were just the stepping stone she needed. Maybe the father is one of her new rich friends, or the restaurant owner who adopted her. Either way, she’s not coming back for you. She’s coming back for herself.”

The silence that followed was suffocating.

Ryan’s throat burned. He didn’t want to believe it. Could Eve really be carrying someone else’s child?

His Eve?

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<Chapter 46 Shadows of Return 2

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He thought of her soft voice, her gentle hands. The way she’d looked at him the last night they spoke, like he was the only man she could ever love.

He forced a laugh, but it came out hollow. “You always were good at twisting things, Kimberly.”

She shrugged. “I’m just telling you the truth.”

Johnathan spoke then, his voice tired. “Ryan, regardless of who the child belongs to, she’s returning. You’ll need to handle it. If Steven catches wind that she’s back and not under your protection, he’ll use her again. Keep her close. Control the narrative.”

Ryan stared at his father, his heart hardening. “You talk about her like she’s an investment portfolio.”

Leah stood, trying to smooth things over. “Your father’s just being practical, dear.”

Ryan turned toward the door. “I’m going to the office.”

Kimberly called after him. “Are you going to welcome your wife home?”

He paused. “Yes,” he said softly. “But not like you think. I’ll find out the truth first. From her.”

Then he left without another word.

Outside, the air was sharp and clean, but Ryan’s chest felt heavy. He walked to his car in a daze, his mind replaying every word.

Ten million.

Pregnant.

Gold digger,

The accusations spun in circles until he wanted to scream.

He sat in the driver’s seat, gripping the wheel. For a long time, he didn’t start the engine.

He didn’t know what to feel, relief that she was alive, or devastation that she was returning

under such shameful circumstances.

Finally, he reached for his phone,

“Teven,” he said when his friend answered, his voice rough.

“Ryan? You sound, Jesus, man, what happened?”

“She’s alive,” Ryan said quietly.

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There was silence, then Teven shouted, “Eve? Alive? Ryan, that’s incredible!”

Ryan smiled faintly despite himself. “Yeah. She’s coming back to Bexlin today.”

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