Chapter 2 Reality of Being Discarded
857 Words
Before she could snap out of it, Yellen had already settled into his seat at the head of the dining table, casually reclining as he observed Eve's flustered demeanor.
This woman was stunningly beautiful, even more so in person than in photographs.
Her hazel eyes were mesmerizing, like translucent amber, complemented by unique features and fair skin that seemed to glow softly, as if bathed in moonlight.
Recalling the image of Eve under the moonlight from the previous night, Yellen brought his fingers thoughtfully to his lips, his gaze growing more intense for reasons he couldn't quite explain.
Meanwhile, Eve regretted losing her cool moments ago, eager not to leave a bad impression.
But contrary to the rumors swirling in high society, Yellen's supposed first impression of her seemed less crucial.
Since their marriage, he had rarely made public appearances, fueling all sorts of speculation among the elite.
In the media, there were regular fabrications about Yellen's supposed demise abroad and daring insinuations that Eve was merely a decorative figure confined to the estate, leading a scandalous life.
As time passed, these rumors morphed into baseless slander fueled by the absence of truth.
Thus, Eve's private life within the Andrew family became the subject of gossip, spawning countless fabricated scandals, including allegations of her involvement in illicit affairs within the estate.
"You..." Eve tried to interject.
Standing nearby, Fury promptly stepped forward, addressing Eve respectfully, "Mrs. Andrew, the Norman family is a branch of the Andrew family. Your marriage doesn't change this. The Andrew family, with a thousand-year history, commands respect. Even as the lady of the house, you should refer to your husband as 'Mr. Andrew'."
Eve glanced at Fury with disbelief, finding it difficult to agree with such outdated formalities.
What made addressing her husband as Mr. Andrew any different from addressing a stranger on the street?
"What? Are you suggesting you'd rather call me by my name?" Yellen asked suddenly, uncertain whether Eve was being bold or intentionally trying to intrigue him with her unique personality.
"Isn't that allowed?" Eve challenged back.
Hadn't she realized her position and status after living alone in the estate for three years?
As Yellen observed Eve's sincere gaze, his cold smile seemed to mock a caged bird longing for freedom.
"Even after marriage, your surname remains Norman. Do you understand why?"
Yellen's penetrating gaze fixed on Eve, who instinctively looked away, shaking her head.
"Fury..." Eve murmured the butler's name softly, seeking guidance.
Fury, usually strict about following protocols, unexpectedly hesitated. Sometimes, the truth could be the most painful, leaving him unsure of how to respond.
So, Fury kept his gaze straight ahead, maintaining a stoic expression as if Eve's voice hadn't reached his ears.
Yellen had no interest in wasting any more time on Eve. Allowing her to assume his wife's role for three years had already been an unexpected deviation from his plans.
"This marriage was never meant to last, hence no need to change surnames," he clarified. Essentially, not changing surnames upon marriage meant avoiding the hassle of changing them back after divorce.
Eve stared blankly at Yellen for a moment, finally nodding in a belated realization.
She had been so naive!
Thinking Yellen's return meant the start of a new chapter, she failed to see that she never had a place in any of his stories.
At that moment, Eve took a deep breath and asked, "So... should I start packing and leave the estate right away?"
Yellen raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden question.
Eve faced the impending reality of being discarded without shedding a tear or offering a word of protest, which was completely out of character.
"When the time comes for you to go, you'll be informed. You'll receive a substantial settlement and can make requests for compensation," Yellen responded, displaying a willingness to be generous.
"Okay, I understand." Eve nodded calmly.
Just the prospect of leaving the estate was a relief. Especially knowing she would be financially supported by Yellen, she wasn't getting the short end of the stick after all.
Yet, as Eve reached for the wine on the table, her trembling fingertips betrayed a hint of unease.
It had just dawned on her that Yellen, with his sharp eyes, steady breathing, and agile movements without sluggishness, showed no signs of the rumored illness.
Perhaps his supposed sickness was nothing but a well-crafted deception, fooling everyone.
Yellen sensed Eve's overly cheerful response and felt a twinge of displeasure.
"Are you so eager to leave this place? Or is it me you're happy to leave behind?"
At Yellen's words, Fury's surprise was evident.
He sensed an unusual concern in his master's tone towards Eve's reaction.
"I'm not..." Eve began to deny Yellen's assumption, her thoughts trailing off.
If he were reasonable, he might understand that she was still figuring out who he truly was because this was their first encounter.
But Yellen wasn't interested in Eve's explanations. To him, a woman who hadn't made demands couldn't possibly be content with three years confined to the estate.
"Eve Norman, remember this well. In this estate, I'm the one in charge."
- Writer
