Evelyn's POV

I woke up to find Nick glaring at Rand who had come with a breakfast tray. Had I not guessed before! That I see something strange in Rand.

"You may leave now... I know about you now. You work for him."

"Now that we know... I think it's fine." I tried to convince him.

"Actually, I worked as a cook at the Salvatore's... I know how to work with a knife and a gun." He looked really uncomfortable having this conversation.

"Great!" I took the tray from his hand and shooed him out of the room. "So, you'll continue to work here." I said and closed the door on him. Only that I didn't see Nick fuming behind me. I waited and waited for him to say something... I could see the nerve on his jaw working. I looked at him, waiting for him to say something... but he just picked up his suit jacket and left the room.

"I'll be back late at night." I heard him scream behind my shoulders.

Sure... like I'm going to wait up for you! Huh! I don't understand why I got this man as my husband.

***

With a heavy breakfast in my tummy, which was now making me regret since I feel queasy. And with a key in my hand, I got down the stairs and walked to my car.

"Sorry ma'am, you cannot leave." Oliver stepped in front of me. I raised my eyebrows at him regarding the way he addressed me. "Sir's orders." He pursed his lips asking me to understand his position. "Should you want to go anywhere... I am to come along."

I thought about it for a moment. It won't really be a problem if he followed me everywhere. I'm only going to work. "Alright." I replied. He led me towards a car and opened the door for me. 'How sweet!' My husband rarely does that for me.

***

She went straight to her office room in the restaurant. Her restaurant still looked pretty bad from the outside. And the number of people sitting in could be counted with her fingers. At home, Nick was behaving weird. And here, her business was deteriorating day by day. And she didn't even have the money to set it up again.

She looked up when the door creaked. Chrissy entered with a grim face herself. Even the cheerful Chrissy wasn't excited anymore. She suddenly felt like something was wrong with everything in her life. "Hey!" her voice almost a whisper.

"Hi" Chrissy replied with a sad smile.

"Can I guess?" She asked and Chrissy smiled yet nodded. "Your conversation with Mark didn't go that well?" Her guess was absolutely right when she saw that small smile on Chrissy's face vanish completely.

"What happened?" The usual, small question yet had a great meaning and understanding to it. 'What happened?'

"I should've known from the start that he never really was interested. I was the one all over him and he had to agree. One thing led to another... now this!" She pointed towards her belly. Evelyn pushed her chin forward indicating her to continue. "Well...... he straight away ordered me... I quote, 'get that thing aborted. I have no time for a kid or a family.' So...." she stopped and looked down to the floor in deep thinking.

"You're considering abortion?" Evelyn asked. Both had confused eyes. They had to console themselves with the fact that at least they were both accompanied by each other in their pain.

They both then looked outside the glass door, where Oliver stood with all seriousness.
"I wish I'd fallen for him." They both repeated at the same time, then looked at each other and laughed loudly.

"I've taken an appointment with the doctor. For a normal checkup, then even I'll decide what to do. What do you plan to do with the baby?" Evelyn asked.

"I don't know.... I can't kill an innocent life. So, I think I'll keep it. But if I do... Mark will never know about it." Evelyn knew, Chrissy was determined to keep her words. And she was sure Mark would never get to see the child.
A child deserved a father and a mother. But it was her life, her decision, and she didn't know with what thoughts in her mind, because of what circumstances she had decided to keep her baby.

Christine's situation made her think about herself. A child deserved a father, yes. But does a child deserve to know the complications his/her parents have? The hatred they might have for each other? Not hatred in her case... but the lack of love? With Chrissy gone... she sat thinking about it.

She thought she could try for the last time... maybe this would help her decide. She picked her phone and dialed Nick's number. "Hey." She thought her voice sounded really desperate. But truth to be told, she really was. She really needed his answer, his assurance that they'd be fine, and with their babies in the equation, they'd still be fine, because sometimes love's not enough.

There was silence on the line for some time while she waited, "Evelyn... I'm busy. Can I call you later?" She could hear the frustration in his voice.

"No wait! Uhm... I was going to the doctor... for a normal checkup about the baby's health. Aah... would you want to join me?" She asked. It felt like she was in a business meeting or something. Choosing the right words, trying not to seem too desperate, but still trying to persuade him.

"Oliver's with you?" He asked. And with that she knew the answer she was going to get. She replied with a small 'yes'. "Okay, I'm busy. Why don't you take Oliver with you, I've already informed him to accompany you everywhere you go." It was not even a question, not even a suggestion. By his voice he just ordered her to go without him.

She just hmm-ed and cut the call. Her phone rang... she saw Nick's name blinking on the phone. Of course, to apologize for being curt. What's the use of apologizing now? Or to convince her now? She got her answer straight and clear.

She called Oliver in and asked for his phone... pretending that something was wrong with hers. Then she switched his phone off. Cause she knew that once Nick got tired of her not picking the call, he'd call Oliver. Her phone was still ringing and with another 7 more missed calls, he stopped. And Oliver's was switched off. She didn't want him arriving at the hospital, surprising her, only cause, he now felt guilty or pitied her. It was better if he didn't know where she was going.

The alarm on her phone reminded that she had an appointment. With a heavy heart, she stood up.

***

It was almost 2 in the morning, and she still struggled to find sleep. She thought, as to why he hadn't arrived yet and the click on the door alerted her. She quickly closed her eyes pretending to sleep. Pain filled her heart, and tears filled her eyes, but she wouldn't let even a single one of them out. It was a matter of her pride now.

All she could remember was her awkward and embarrassing visit to the hospital. She knew nothing! Nothing! Why do people put up baby pictures in the hospital?! It's creepy. What about those who came for an abortion. Oh, and the overly happy couples. But why curse them? There are couples like her and Nick, but at least they came along with their partners.

Her breathing became louder and faster as she tried to calm herself. Stop herself from lashing out on him. Stop herself from creating a mess of herself by crying.
Listening to her breathing, Nick frowned and called out to her. "Eve?"
This time again she hmm-ed. Seeing that she's awake, "you didn't pick my call?" He asked from behind her. She turned to look at him. Because she knew what mess that would become.

"Yeah... I saw your missed calls. My phone was on silent and I'd kept it in my bag." She didn't know where she got the lie from. But it was perfect.

"Even Oliver didn't pick my call." This he said it to himself.

"Yeah! He said there was something wrong with his phone." Her quick response proved his suspicions right. She didn't pick his call on purpose. He didn't do any further probing and moved on to the next question.

"How did the checkup go? How's the baby?" He asked.

"Hmm.. fine. It's healthy." She felt like crying now. She had already thought about abortion, she even got a form for MTP which she learned today is short form for Medical Termination of Pregnancy. And now he wanted to know about the baby's health. It was too late now. She had made her decision.

"It?"

"Yeah... they... the babies! They're fine." She replied and closed her eyes again. Noticing that she was quick to finish the conversation with him. He smiled and pecked her cheek before he drifted off to sleep. The peck on her cheek kept her awake all night wondering what's going on with them. She was already tired of confrontations and asking him about his behaviour would be another headache for another time.

On the other side, Nick slept thinking that all his time from tomorrow will be hers. Little did he know. But by the time he woke up, Eve was gone, and he was left with a note, that said 'I'll be back late at night.'

Evelyn's POV

"You're here." Serena came running and hugged me tightly.

"Maa... let her breath." Riccardo smiled at me. "Like you said, I've asked Nick's friend to send a copy of the report here. It's been two days and he said the report should be ready by today." I nodded with a smile.

"Ma'am, should I call Sir?" Oliver whispered behind me.

"No! Uhm.. I'll call him later." I said and escaped inside with Riccardo. I didn't come here not because I wasn't really on good terms with Nick right now. But I wanted to get to know my family. After years I finally get someone as real family.

We all came to sit in the living hall. Raymond sat silently with a contented look on his face. Serena looked really happy to have me. Though I am now comfortable with considering them as my parents. It's difficult for me to call them mom and dad. Those words only remind me of my other mom and dad, thought they never behaved as one.

I asked Riccardo, who was now sitting beside me. "What if... the results come out negative?" I whispered.

"I'm very sure it won't come out negative. Your 'what if' will never turn out to be true. I know you're my sister. I can feel it. In case, if what you said turns out to be true. It's alright, because I still consider you as my sister. You solved the misunderstanding between your husband and I, that we had for years.... I'm happy to know it was not him. Whoever it is, I can kill him without any guilt now." His eyes slowly turned dark.

"You loved Niyah a lot?" He didn't answer just stroked my hair and gave me a smile, filled with sadness.

"Hello everyone." My eyes widened hearing that voice. My stomach felt queasy, I was rubbing my belly to calm my baby. I feel puke-ish.

"Nick?!" Suddenly Raymond and Riccardo stood up with a poker look. Nick looked was followed by Riccardo's men who looked all guarded. Riccardo waved his hand, dismissing them.

"Just because we're on slightly better terms now and you are my sister's husband doesn't give you have leave to enter my house whenever you want" Riccardo said point blank.

"DNA results." He handed me a form ignoring Riccardo. He shook hands with Raymond and whispered things to each other. Isn't it weird that people who hated each other yesterday are shaking hands today and being all chummy?

Riccardo pulled the form out of my hand and opened it.... we both ran our eyes through the paper.

Probability of paternity: 99.99993%

Result: alleged father is not excluded as the biological father of the tested child. Based on testing results obtained from the DNA analysis, the probability of paternity is 99.99993%. The probability of paternity is tested by comparing to an untested, unrelated, random individual of a population.

He looked up and nodded at our parents.

Serena came to hug me again, "Look how unlucky I am. When I had time, I had to spend it all away from my daughter. And now that I get to have my daughter, I have no time." She choked as tears filled her eyes. Raymond hugged her from behind and patted my head, blessing me.

What did she mean, she has no time? "Maa has Renal Cancer, she has to go through a surgery, she's just scared. But the doctor had assured us that she'll be fine." He whispered into my ear.

"Eve?" Nick called from behind me and took me a bit far from the others. "Shall we leave?" He asked, his hands on my waist as his thumb rubbed my belly, where there seemed to be an almost nonexistent baby bump. Almost!

"No... I just arrived here... and how did you know I'm here?" He had that look that said 'who else?' Oliver! I'm going to kill him! "I wanted some time alone. And I wasn't even running away."

"I don't really trust you on that, wifey." He smirked. Talking to him is a waste of my own time.

"We have the brunch prepared. Would you like to join us, Genero?" Raymond smiled so humbly that refusing him would've looked very rude on Nick's part.

"Sure... Eve left early, I'm sure she hasn't had anything to eat." He replied too sweetly. Of course, he had to say that, he's trying to impress my newfound dad! What is he up to? "Genero means son -in law" he winked at me.

I pushed his hands away that were holding me and went to Riccardo. He looked really uncomfortable. "Still not on good terms with Nick?" I asked. Because Raymond surely got used to Nick being his son in law.

"Not uncomfortable. It's just awkward. You know, he was the person I hated almost half my life and now there's no need to." He was about to leave with a sigh, but he turned back to me. "But I still hate him, because he married my baby sister." He kissed me on top of my head and left with narrowed eyes, pointed at Nick.

"What was that about?" Nick asked. I just smiled and followed them with Nick tagging along.
"I've to ask your brother."

"What?"

"Remember? I once slapped Isabella, she was really angry and she ran away, that is the day she got kidnapped." He asked.

"Of course, I remember! You blamed me for it." I rolled my eyes at him.

"Aah.. sorry about that. I slapped her that day... well because... I was actually having Melanie followed, who weirdly seemed to be everywhere where Riccardo was. But I found Isabella and Barbara there. One says its research and the other says it's for their new fashion theme. I was already angry and that..." he closed his eyes and groaned.

"Yes, I remember. It's alright." I pat his shoulder. "Wait! Did you let the man go?! The one you caught. You said you'll let him go today."

"I already handed him over to your brother, Eve!" I looked at Riccardo for confirmation.

"Thanks to you. There was not much damage done. He heard the men say, 'Sir said ma'am doesn't want us to hurt him.' He was well taken care of. He's now with his family. You'll probably meet him tomorrow around here." I nodded with a smile.

"If I'm your daughter-" I started only to be interrupted.

"You are!" Raymond said strictly. Serena pinched his hand.

"Uh... yes... I know I'm your daughter... but how did I go to them...? I never even remembered you all... I still don't... can't... I can't remember any of you. How did they get me?" So many questions. Yet none were answered.