Chapter 228

"I can't take it anymore, Evelyn..." Natalie's nails dug into her palms. "Simon threatened me. If I dare to divorce him, he'll force my father to transfer all the company shares to him."

I handed her a glass of water. "Drink this first."

"My father worked his whole life to build this company. I can't let him..." Her trembling hands clutched the cup. "But I'm living like a walking corpse every day..."

"Natalie, your father cares about you more than anything."

"That's exactly why I can't drag him into this!" She suddenly grabbed my hand. "Evelyn, please help me terminate this pregnancy. Then Simon won't have any leverage over me..."

I looked at her swollen abdomen. "Are you sure about this?"

"Those so-called prenatal vitamins were poison all along." She gave a bitter smile. "The baby's already too large for four months. It's already..."

"Alright." I cut her off. "Stay here for now. Don't answer any calls from the Stapletons."

After settling Natalie in, I went out to buy some necessities. Just as I stepped out of the hotel, Peter's call came through.

"Sorry, something came up last minute." His voice carried genuine apology.

"It's fine. I'm out running errands anyway."

"Where are you? I'll pick you up."

I hesitated. "No need. I can get back myself."

"I promised to drive you home every day." He insisted. "Send me your location."

As I hung up, an unwelcome memory surfaced—Peter clinking glasses with Simon that night.

My fingers hovered over the screen before I finally sent a pin from the next block over.

Ten minutes later, his car pulled up beside me.

"Why meet here?" He glanced around. "There's not even a coffee shop nearby."

"A friend works in the area."

"Which friend?" He smiled. "I've introduced you to all my childhood buddies. When do I get to meet your girlfriends?"

My hands paused on the seatbelt. "Vivian Dempsey. You've met her before."

"Vivian Dempsey?" He frowned in thought. "Doesn't ring a bell."

The seatbelt clicked into place. My heart sank with it.