[Zain's Point-of-View]
A little while after dessert, everyone began to depart. Ben and Chloe took Mingxi home. Deming left with Lady An for the Wei Manor. Uncle Wai and John also left in their own separate vehicles.
Zain and Jinhai stayed behind to help the women clean up. Everyone took home food so there wasn't much food left.
"Thank you guys," Evelyn said to the brothers. Zain gave her a hug and kissed her cheek. "Anytime," he replied.
He was going to call it an early night. He didn't want to push his luck with Phoenix.
Zain and Phoenix stared at each other across the kitchen island. Phoenix had put together leftovers and had it ready in a bag for him.
"Thanks for helping last night and today," she said quietly.
"I'll always be there for you," Zain replied easily, in an equally quiet voice. But he cringed inwardly at her reaction.
He could see her spine stiffen at his words and he hated that that was her reaction to him. He watched Phoenix walk away as Jinhai saddled up next to him.
"How'd last night go?" Jinhai asked when she was out of hearing range. "Fine," Zain replied. Jinahi patted Zain on the shoulder.
"You're a lucky bastard that Evelyn forgave you so easily," Zain said to Jinhai. Zain was envious of that. He was happy for them, of course. But it did make him long for Phoenix more than ever.
"I know," Jinhai said with a small smile. Jinhai gave Zain a pat on the shoulder before moving to join Evelyn in the living room.
Zain watched with envy as Jinhai wrapped an arm around Evelyn. His eyes slid to Phoenix. He didn't miss how she also eyed the couple with a touch of envy herself. She turned her eyes to him and he met her stare.
She quickly looked away and went to take down the decorations. Zain felt his legs move of their own accord as he reached above her to take down the taped up party streamers. She let him and went to go grab a broom.
He concentrated on the task at hand instead of how close her body was as she passed him. When they finished it was already 9 o'clock. He said his goodbyes to the three and with a short lingering look at Phoenix as he left.
He nodded at the guards posted at the door before he made his way to his car. When he got there he rested his head back. He had work to do but he needed a moment.
Right now, Evelyn took precedent. He needed to track down the doctor that prescribed the abortion pill to her all those years ago. He had a nasty suspicion that he was squirreled away overseas.
He remembered how terrible Evelyn had been after she had lost the baby. He could not believe that Shawn was so cruel that he would kill his own flesh and blood. The only reason he wasn't driving off yet was because he knew he would go kill him. He was positive that was part of the reason why Jinhai had stayed with her instead going back to his own place.
Both brothers cared about her deeply, in different ways but both would give up their lives to protect her.
He started his car and threw it into reverse. He exited the garage and he headed to the office. There were some things he needed to take care of tonight.
[Evelyn's Point-of-View]
After Zain left, Evelyn and Phoenix went to go take a shower. After Jinhai had taped up Evelyn's bandages he went to do some work on his laptop.
Evelyn carefully let the water fall down her body. Now that she was alone she let her guard down. She placed her hands on the opposite wall and her head hung low. The water hit her bandaging on her back and brought a little bit of pain.
She was oblivious to it as it paled in comparison to the pain that was in her heart. How could Shawn do what he did? Everything, everything in the past year had been a complete lie.
She remembered the events of her 'miscarriage' with perfect clarity. It was a Tuesday night, and she had just settled into bed. Shawn had flown out on business that Friday before and was expected back in the morning.
She had hated sleeping alone. She had become so used to having him in the bed beside her but he had begun working late more frequently.
Evelyn had reached over to grab her bottle of prenatals. After pouring one into her hand she grabbed the glass of water. She placed the pill on her tongue and washed it down with a gulp of water.
She placed the glass back down on the table next to her, turned off the lamp and pulled the covers over her. She fell asleep almost instantly.
She awoke hours later in a pool of blood and in complete agony. She had let out a blood curling scream that woke the entire house.
She clutched at the sheets and rested a hand against her lower stomach. She curled up into a ball and reached for the bell that would alert someone that she needed help.
Lady An and Butler Chu had rushed into the room. Lady An ran up to the bed and immediately instructed Butler Chu to arrange transportation to the hospital. Evelyn remembered being lifted off the bed and placed on a stretcher. An oxygen mask was placed over her face as she struggled to remain conscious.
Something was very wrong. Despair filled her and she could barely focus on her surroundings.
She struggled to pull at the oxygen mask. "Someone call my husband. Call Shawn," she said when she did.
"Ma'am we've got you," one of the paramedics said. That was the last thing she remembered before she passed out.
When she had awoken, it was to an almost pitch black room. She was disoriented and aware of the pain in her lower abdomen.
Evelyn moaned as she tried to get up. "Xiaoli," Lady An's voice floated to her from beside the bed. It was the pity in her voice that made Evelyn crumble. She knew, right then that she had lost another baby.
"I lost the baby," Evelyn said, wanting desperately for it not to be true.
"I'm so sorry," Lady An answered. Evelyn laid back against the pillow and felt the tears burn her eyes.
[Present Time]
Evelyn felt the tears burn now at the memory. What she had thought to be an accident was a lie. She knew now what she experienced that because of Shawn. He hadn't even shown up to the hospital until a few days later.
She now knew that it was because of he was with Amy. When she was laying in bed feeling the despair and loss, he was out with another woman. Pure rage began to fill her.
Before she knew what she was doing she slammed her first against the wall. She was so angry that she didn't even register the pain. She began to breathe heavily as she glared at nothing in front of her.
Emotions began to flood her; rage, frustration, despair, hatred, betrayed, vengeful and then finally, numb. She didn't know how long she stayed like that under the spray of the hot water. She didn't even hear the knock on the door or notice when someone came in.
"Evelyn?" Jinhai slowly entered the room. His voice cut through the fog of her thoughts. "I'm here," she answered.
"Are you ok?" Jinhai asked. "Yes, I'll be out soon," she answered. She heard the door close behing him. She quickly finished her shower and noticed the flushness of her skin from the water. She stepped out and dried herself off gently.
Her mind replayed the video again and her chest felt tight. Shawn betrayed her in every way and he would pay. She would make sure of it.
The wound on her shoulder was sore and she took some medication the doctor prescibed her. She changed the dressing on her own, then did her skincare routine. She put on a robe and made her way back outside.
[Jinhai's Point-of-View]
Evelyn had been in the shower for a very long time. He began to worry when Phoenix came out of her bedroom with her hair still wet, so he got up to check on her.
"Evelyn?" he called out cautiously.
"I'm here," she answered.
"Are you ok?" Jinhai asked. "Yes, I'll be out soon," she answered. He slowly closed the door behind him to give her some privacy. He noticed the air was thick with steam and worried about her more.
He stepped out of the bedroom and Phoenix was sitting at the kitchen island with a cup of tea. Her hair was damp and framed her face. She gave him a small smile as he approached her.
"Is she okay?" Phoenix asked him. "I don't think so," he answered. He grabbed a glass and poured himself some whiskey. Phoenix eyed the cup but said nothing. Her eyebrows scrunched up in worry. Jinhai took a sip of his drink before he took the seat across from her.
"What she found out about Shawn yesterday is really bothering her," he clarified. "I don't know what I can do to help her," he answered truthfully.
"Kill him," Phoenix answered quickly. The idea was only mildly satisfying. "Tempting," he said. "But that won't make her feel better."
Phoenix sighed. "No, it won't. Did Zain tell you about it?" Jinhai shook his head.
"She went to sleep and woke up with blood all over the sheets. She's terrified of pools of blood now," Phoenix said. "But what's worse is that the doctors at the time couldn't do anything and had to tell her she lost her second child. It nearly destroyed her." There was sadness in her voice and Jinhai gripped the glass in his hands tightly.