Chapter 2 Conspiracy

Emma didn't need Evelyn to kick her out - she was planning to leave anyway.

When Marcus married Emma back then, it became the laughingstock of the entire high society.

This marriage that everyone thought would fail had lasted three years, which was already pretty good. She shouldn't expect anything more.

While packing, Emma accidentally came across yesterday's pregnancy test report, and bitterness welled up in her heart.

Just then, Evelyn walked in without any hesitation. Seeing Emma, who had occupied her position for three years, packing her bags, a smug smile appeared on her face. "That's more like it. Good girls get treated well."

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the pregnancy test report in Emma's hand, and a flash of surprise crossed her eyes. "Don't tell me you're pregnant?"

Emma quickly snatched the report away and pretended to be calm. "You saw wrong. That's just a regular gynecological checkup."

"That's right." The doubt on Evelyn's face eased a bit. "How could an upright and proper man like Marcus possibly have a child with a shameless woman like you? You must have messed around with some shady guy and caught some disease!"

As she spoke, her eyes drifted to Emma's belly, her expression darkening. "No, I'm not convinced. Show me that report!"

Evelyn stepped forward to pry open Emma's hand.

Emma panicked inside and resisted with all her might.

During the struggle, Evelyn suddenly struck out and threw Emma to the ground.

A sharp pain immediately shot through her lower abdomen. Emma struggled to get up, only to see Evelyn's gaze sweep toward the door.

The previously aggressive Evelyn now sat on the floor, sobbing pitifully. "I was just trying to help. Why did you push me?"

Emma stared at her sudden transformation, completely dazed.

The next second, a familiar male voice came from behind her. "Emma, what are you doing?"

She turned to see Marcus rushing in from outside, glaring at her fiercely before bending down to pick up Evelyn from the floor.

"Are you okay?" he asked Evelyn softly.

"Marcus, my leg hurts so much." Evelyn completely changed from her earlier domineering manner, now weak and leaning into his arms.

Marcus placed her on the bed. "I'll have the doctor check you out." Then he turned to glare at Emma. "What are you standing there for? Go get the doctor!"

Watching Marcus fuss over Evelyn, Emma's heart felt like it was being hit by a blunt object - a dense, spreading pain.

She knew she had lost completely in this marriage.

So she didn't say much, just turned and called the private doctor.

The doctor arrived quickly. After the examination, he told Marcus, "Evelyn is fine. She just needs some rest."

After the doctor left, Marcus stared at Emma with disgust.

"Emma, when will you stop? Evelyn is a guest I invited to our home. How could you treat her like this?"

"I didn't! She threw something at me first!" Emma held up her arm to show him the wound.

Marcus didn't even glance at it, saying coldly, "Enough! I don't want to hear your excuses. Evelyn needs to rest now. Move out of the master bedroom and give it to her."

Emma looked at him in disbelief. "But that's my room."

"Not anymore." Marcus's tone was harsh. "If you don't want to, you can move out!"

Evelyn nestled in his arms, a smug smile playing on her lips.

She spoke with fake sincerity. "Marcus, don't be like this. Emma probably didn't mean it. How about this - let her stay. My foot isn't feeling well anyway, and I need someone to take care of me. Let her look after me for a few days as an apology, okay?"

She looked at Emma, malice hidden in her eyes.

Marcus nodded, then looked at Emma with a commanding tone. "Starting today, you're responsible for taking care of Evelyn."

Emma stood frozen in place. The wound on her arm was still bleeding, but her heart had already gone numb.

She had lived with Marcus for thirteen whole years, yet she couldn't compete with a single lie from Evelyn.

Back in the guest room, Emma had just finished treating the wound on her arm when she heard Evelyn calling her name outside.

"Emma! There's dust on my window. Go clean it." Evelyn leaned against the soft bed that Emma used to sleep in, casually twirling her hair, her tone arrogant.

Emma silently picked up a cloth and bucket.

It was early autumn now, and the cold water soaked through the cloth, the chill cutting to the bone.

Just as Emma stood on tiptoe to wipe the window, Marcus happened to pass by, looking over with cold eyes.

As soon as Evelyn saw him, she immediately sat up from the bed, pretending to help Emma. "Emma, I told you I could do it myself."

She acted very concerned about Emma, even getting out of bed to pull her. "You should rest. You've worked hard."

"Don't bother with her." Marcus snorted coldly. "She's always scheming. Who's she putting on this pitiful act for!"

"But she's still your wife in name. Won't people talk?" Evelyn said worriedly.

"Wife?" Marcus's voice was full of mockery. "I've never considered her my wife."

Emma gripped the cloth tightly, her heart desolate.

After being ordered around by Evelyn all day.

Emma dragged her exhausted body back to the guest room and took out the wrinkled pregnancy test report from her pocket.

The doctor had told her that the tiny shadow on the black and white image was her baby.

"Don't worry, baby. Mommy will protect you," Emma whispered softly, her finger gently touching the image.

This child might be Emma's only family, and her only reason to keep living.

Early the next morning, while Marcus was at the office, Emma packed her bags and prepared to leave.

Just as she reached the door, she ran into Evelyn and Marcus's mother, Mabel Simpson, chatting in the garden.

"What? You're saying Emma might be pregnant?"

Emma heard Mabel's shocked voice and immediately hid behind the door.

"Yes, I saw her holding a pregnancy test report yesterday. I'm not sure if it's true." Evelyn's tone was hesitant.

"Perfect." Mabel revealed a triumphant smile. "My effort in switching her medicine wasn't wasted. After she gives birth, we'll put the child under your name, then find a way to kick her out!"

Evelyn looked surprised for a moment, then her eyes turned vicious. "No! If the child is born, Marcus might soften. We can't keep it!"

Emma heard every word, trembling with anger, her hands instinctively protecting her belly.

No wonder she got pregnant - it was a conspiracy between Mabel and Evelyn!