Chapter 142: Everything She Stands to Lose

Chapter 142: Chapter 142: Everything She Stands to Lose

~Third- POv~

Frederick smiled and pulled him flush against his chest, wrapping both arms around him, content to simply hold his whole world a little longer before they left for the airport.

Meanwhile, in Eva’s mansion, the silence pressed in. She sat alone on the velvet sofa, staring at the glass coffee table. For days she had been spiraling, crying over a life and a man she had pushed away with her own hands, while Frederick celebrated his engagement in Paris with his radiant young fiancé.

She pulled her knees to her chest as a bitter realization washed over her. What is wrong with me? She ran a hand through her hair. Why am I falling apart over something I walked away from years ago?

She stood and smoothed down her silk robe, drawing a slow, steadying breath. "You are not this weak, Eva," she whispered to the empty room, her voice hardening. "Pull yourself together."

She walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window and stared out at the city skyline, her thoughts drifting to everything she had worked so hard to build, her modeling career, her massive social media following, her lucrative brand partnerships, and the reputation she had spent years cultivating.

Her fingers tightened around the edge of her robe.

Having a daughter wasn’t the problem. The truth behind her absence was. How would she explain walking away from a five-month-old baby? How could she possibly defend never coming back, never asking about her child, never making the slightest effort to be part of her child’s life?

Worse still, she didn’t even know what Lily looked like now.

Eva swallowed, her gaze fixed on the distant buildings. If she admitted the truth, everything she had built could collapse in days. The brands that trusted her, the people who admired her, the millions who followed her: any of them could turn on her and see her as cold, selfish, and heartless.

And that was the last thing she wanted.

If only I hadn’t left. Her hands gripped the windowsill. "Or if I had at least gone back to check on her," she muttered. "Even once. Maybe this would be easier to fix."

The weight of Frederick’s strategy landed like a cold slap. It was brilliant, and it was vicious. He hadn’t destroyed her himself. He had simply set the stage so she would do it with her own words. If she confirmed his story, the public would judge her for abandoning her baby. If she denied having a daughter to protect her career, she would prove she was the selfish monster he had always believed her to be, and erase any chance of ever meeting Lily.

She was still caught in that spiral when the sharp click of heels sounded on the marble floor. Her personal assistant stepped into the living room, a tablet in her hands and stress written across her face.

"Ma’am?" the assistant began hesitantly. "Several of our major brand partners have been calling nonstop since the interview dropped this morning. They want an official statement. They need to know whether what Mr. Corvin said is true."

Eva didn’t turn from the window. "I need time," she said, her tone clipped and cold. "Handle the calls for now. Tell them we’re reviewing the situation and will release a statement shortly."

"Understood, ma’am." The assistant glanced at her screen. "Also, a reminder: you have the LuxBeauty campaign shoot at one o’clock."

Eva finally turned, her face set into an unreadable mask. "Fine. But call their manager immediately. I want the set completely secured: no reporters, no unvetted staff, no press outside. I’ll arrive, do the shoot, and leave. Make sure their team has everything ready before I get there."

"I’ll speak with the manager and make sure everything is arranged, ma’am," the assistant replied before turning and hurrying out.

Left alone once again, Eva let out a short, hollow laugh that echoed off the high ceilings. "In the end," she whispered, "I’m the one scrambling to explain myself to the whole world."

She shook her head, exhaustion weighing on her. Just then, her phone chimed repeatedly on the counter. She walked over, picked it up, and glanced at the screen.

It was a flurry of messages from her friends in their group chat.

Chloe:Hey, Eva. How are you holding up after everything that came out today? Are you okay?

Alice:Eva, are you okay?

Kathie: Girl, we should meet up tonight. You need to get out and clear your head.

Eva:Yes, I’m fine. You all don’t have to worry about me.

Alice: So, what have you decided?

Kathie: I still can’t believe Frederick said all that in the interview. He sounded so relaxed while explaining everything. Why did he have to go into such detail about how you left your daughter?

Chloe: Before you start blaming Frederick, remember he kept quiet for seventeen years. If Eva hadn’t told the story about him abandoning her and their daughter, he probably never would have felt the need to defend himself. We should all remember what kind of man Frederick is.

Alice: Oh, please, Chloe. Why do you always take Frederick’s side?

Chloe: I’m not taking his side. I’m just telling the truth.

Kathie: Whatever you’re thinking, Eva, don’t ever admit you abandoned your daughter. You might as well deny having one at all. Think about your future. If the men who admire you find out you have a child, how do you think they’ll react? It could hurt your chances of finding someone.

Chloe: Oh, please, Kathie. That’s terrible advice. You can’t seriously be telling her to deny her own daughter.

Alice:She’s not entirely wrong.

Chloe:Eva, don’t listen to them. I’ll come see you and we can talk everything through properly. Trust me. This doesn’t have to ruin your life. Your daughter should be your priority right now.

Kathie: What daughter? Frederick won’t even let you see her. My advice is to deny everything and protect your peace of mind.

Alice: Exactly. Frederick won’t even give you a chance to see Lily, so why ruin your future over her?

Eva read through the messages, her expression growing more troubled. She appreciated that her friends were worried, but their opinions only made an already hard decision harder.

Eva: I appreciate everyone’s concern, but I’m still thinking it over. Once I’ve made up my mind, I’ll let you know. Chloe, I’ll expect you after I’m done with work today.

Chloe:Alright, Eva. I’ll see you later.

Alice: We should come too!

Kathie: Yes, count us in. We should all meet up.

Eva locked her phone and let out a weary sigh. She wasn’t in the mood for any more discussion. She turned from the counter and went upstairs to get ready for the day.

Meanwhile, at the Parisian estate, the security team loaded the last of the luggage into the trailing SUV.

Frederick led Reynold down the front steps, hand in hand, to the waiting sedan. The driver held the rear door and bowed his head.

"After you, sweetheart," Frederick murmured. Reynold slid into the leather interior, and Frederick settled beside him. The heavy doors closed with a soft thud, sealing them into cool silence, and the two-car convoy glided through the iron gates toward the private aviation terminal.

Reynold leaned against Frederick’s shoulder for the drive...