Chapter 234

The phone screen lit up again.

["Don't delete it yet. Once this is over, the number will be deactivated."]

Evelyn locked her phone, her fingers tightening slightly.

The elegant evening gown Vivian had picked for her had no pockets. She could only clutch the device in her palm.

"So now we just wait for Simon to take the bait?" Vivian leaned in and asked.

Evelyn shook her head. "We can't afford to wait. Natalie's pregnancy is progressing every day. The risks of termination will only increase. We need to speed things up and prepare a backup plan."

......

On the weekend morning, Evelyn and Vivian arrived early at the hotel where Natalie was staying.

Away from her toxic mother-in-law and cheating husband these past few days, Natalie's complexion had visibly improved. Though still slender, her cheeks now carried a healthy flush.

"Evelyn, I've been eating and sleeping properly," Natalie said, her eyes brightening at the sight of them.

Evelyn's gaze drifted to her rounded abdomen. "Any discomfort lately?"

"None. Before, my mother-in-law kept forcing me to drink those weird folk remedies—that's when I always felt sick. These past few days have been much better."

Evelyn exhaled in relief. "Any movement from the Stapletons?"

"My mother-in-law called once. I told her I was visiting my parents. She's on vacation abroad—it's not like she can fly back to drag me home." Natalie smirked. "I pretended the signal was bad and hung up."

Vivian gave a thumbs-up. "Well played!"

When Natalie smiled, her eyes curved into crescents, radiating a youthful innocence.

A girl like her should have been enjoying the best years of her life, falling in sweet love. Instead, Simon had left her broken.

"Evelyn, I saw Lora in the news! Exactly Simon's type—he’ll definitely make a move."

"He hasn’t contacted you these past two days?"

"No. He thinks he has me trapped." Natalie's laugh was bitter. "He believes I won’t dare divorce him because of the baby and my father’s hospital."

"Good."

"Are we sticking to the plan and going shopping today?"

Evelyn nodded. "Everything ready?"

"Don’t worry. My father liquidated the stocks and funds he transferred to me. Everything’s in one account now." Natalie held up a number.

Vivian gasped. "Your dad gave you his life savings."

"He said he didn’t want me to suffer in that marriage." Natalie’s eyes reddened. "Simon has no conscience! He doesn’t even care about his own child!"

Vivian patted her shoulder. "When this is over, find someone ten thousand times better."

"I’m done with men." Natalie wiped her tears. "I’ll be a strong woman like Evelyn."

Vivian burst out laughing. "Your Evelyn is taken now."

Natalie’s eyes widened. "You have a boyfriend, Evelyn?"

Evelyn lowered her lashes, her voice soft. "The future is unpredictable. Let’s go—we’re running late."