Chapter 7 Cracks in Control

Steffy fell silent. Her breath caught in her throat. Her eyes widened as she looked around the quiet villa room. The envelope lying on the table seemed to stare back at her, reminding her that her life was now filled with secrets.

"Who told you that?" her voice trembled, trying to buy time.

Daniel exhaled on the other end. "I'm a doctor, Steffy. And you're undergoing tests using your blood sample."

Tears suddenly welled up in her eyes. She bit her lip hard, as if trying to hold back the emotions threatening to spill over.

"Yes..." she answered softly. "I'm pregnant."

Daniel closed his eyes for a moment on the other end of the line. He had already known the answer, but hearing the confession still made his chest feel heavy.

Steffy lowered her head, her hand instinctively resting on her still-flat stomach. There was no visible change yet, but inside, a small life was growing. A life she had once wanted to present as joyful news to the man she used to love.

She remembered that day clearly. She had held the test results, filled with nervousness yet happiness. She had even prepared sweet words for David, imagining the joy on his face when he found out he was going to be a father.

But all her plans were destroyed the moment she overheard the secret conversation between David and Evelyn.

"I love you, Evelyn. I can't leave you."

Those words struck her like a hammer. Her heart shattered, her body weakened, and the happiness she had wanted to share disappeared instantly.

From that moment on, Steffy made a vow-David must never know. This baby would be hers alone, not his. Not the man who had betrayed her.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Daniel asked gently, breaking her thoughts.

"What's the point? What's the point, Daniel?" her voice broke. "The father doesn't even care about me anymore. Worse... he chose Evelyn. My own sister!"

A soft sob escaped her lips. She covered her face with both hands.

Daniel wanted to comfort her, but he knew one wrong word could make her even more fragile.

"Steffy, listen to me. You're not alone. You have me, you have your mother, even Mr. Hendry. Don't think about David right now. Focus on yourself and this baby. You both deserve protection."

"Daniel..." Steffy lowered her hands, staring at her phone screen with tear-filled eyes. "Do you think I can raise this child without a father? People will judge me. I don't even have the courage to tell Mom yet."

"You can. And I'll help you."

Daniel's answer was firm, making her chest tremble. There was sincerity in his words-something she rarely found in other men.

But fear still held her captive. "If Evelyn finds out... she'll destroy me."

Daniel sighed. "That's why you have to keep this a secret for now. Don't let anyone know, especially Evelyn. We'll wait for the results of the second DNA test. After that, we'll decide what to do next."

Steffy nodded faintly, even as her tears kept falling.

That night, after the call ended, she sat by the villa window for a long time. Heavy rain poured from the sky, the droplets striking the glass like they were knocking on her soul.

Her hand moved to her stomach again.

"I'm sorry," she whispered softly. "You're being born into a world full of chaos. But I promise... I will protect you, no matter what. Even if I have to stand against anyone. Including your father."

---

"No... this can't be..." Evelyn whispered in her room, her voice choked with panic. She rummaged through her drawers, opened the wardrobe, even pulled back the blankets-but nothing. The document was truly gone.

Her heart pounded wildly. "Who would dare...?"

For a moment, Evelyn froze. Her gaze went blank, staring into empty space. Then one name surfaced in her mind: Nadine.

"It must be Mom... She took it on purpose to protect Steffy," she hissed bitterly.

Unwilling to wait any longer, Evelyn stormed out of her room and slammed the door behind her. Her steps were hurried, her eyes burning with fury.

In the grand Willson residence, Hendry had just finished reading the newspaper when the loud bang of the door startled him. Evelyn appeared, her face pale but filled with emotion.

"Evelyn? What's all this noise so early in the morning?" Hendry asked, his tone stern.

Evelyn walked straight toward him, her hands trembling with anger. "The DNA test document is gone, Dad! GONE!"

Hendry tried to remain calm. "What do you mean? You must have misplaced it..."

"Don't play dumb with me!" Evelyn snapped. "I've searched my entire room-it's not there! The only possibility... Mom took it!"

Hendry stiffened. "Your mother?"

"Yes! You think I don't know?" Evelyn shot back. "She's always been too soft on Steffy. She must have stolen it to use against me!"

Hendry swallowed hard. He did know something, but he couldn't admit it just like that. He had heard bits of it from his wife the night before, though nothing explicit. And now, hearing Evelyn's accusation, his thoughts grew even more tangled.

"Why are you accusing your own mother?" Hendry asked, trying to deflect.

Evelyn narrowed her eyes. "Why are you asking that? Are you hiding something from me, Dad?"

Hendry sighed, struggling to stay composed. "I... I just think you're jumping to conclusions. Nadine... there's no way she would steal your document."

"Stop pretending, Dad!" Evelyn stepped closer, lowering her voice. "I know Mom left with Steffy. Don't tell me you didn't know! Do you think I'm stupid?!"

Hendry fell silent. He did know Nadine wasn't home-she had left with Steffy and Daniel. But if he admitted it, Evelyn's anger would only explode further.

"You're mistaken, Evelyn..." Hendry said at last, though his voice lacked conviction.

Evelyn scoffed. "You're on Steffy's side, aren't you? I'll find out myself! If it's true Mom took it, I won't stay silent!"

"Why are you so panicked about losing that test result?" Hendry asked, suspicion creeping into his tone. "Wasn't it just a test between you and me? Or could it be..."

But Evelyn turned to leave. Before she could take another step, her phone vibrated. The name on the screen made her breath hitch.

David.

Hesitantly, she answered the call.

"Evelyn..." The voice on the other end sounded hoarse, exhausted, and restless. "I need you."

Evelyn clenched her teeth. "David? What is it? Are you okay?"

"I've got no one else!" David cut her off, his voice rising. "You know my life's been a mess since I left the Willson family. I... I can't keep going like this."

Evelyn let out a mocking laugh, recalling their last encounter.