EVA
The city blurred past in streaks of color as the cab sped through morning traffic. My fingers wouldn't stop shaking, my heart was hammering so loud I could barely hear the driver's voice when he said.
"We are here, miss."
The Hospital towered above me, barely remembered to pay before running through the sliding doors.
"Henry Scott," I gasped at the front desk. "Where is he?"
The nurse looked up from her screen like she already recognized me. "Room 504, He's stable now, but only family…"
I didn't wait for her to finish. My heels echoed against the floor as I raced down the corridor, my breath almost failing me.
I found the room at the end of the hallway. The door was slightly ajar. I pushed it open and froze.
Henry was lying on the bed, pale but conscious. Sitting beside him was his mum, Helena Scott
The woman who had once looked at me with politeness and now, I realized, had only ever seen me as a stain on her son's perfection.
Her gaze lifted the moment I entered and the air turned cold.
"Well," she snarled, "the fallen socialite herself." I stopped in my tracks.
"Mrs. Scott.."
"You still dare to show your face in public after last night?" she continued, crossing one elegant leg over the other.
"The entire city saw you being claimed by your husband while almost wearing another man's ring."
Heat rushed to my cheeks. "It wasn't like that. I didn't know…"
"Didn't know?" she repeated, feigning shock. "My dear, ignorance doesn't suit you. I can now tell the kind of person you are."
"Mother," Henry muttered, shifting uncomfortably.
She ignored him, her eyes never leaving mine. "Do you realize what you have done to this family's reputation? My son's engagement to you was already questioned by the board and now, after this scandal, they will tear him apart in meetings. Investors don't trust men with messy personal lives."
I swallowed hard. "I am sorry. I didn't mean to cause…"
"Oh, don't bother pretending remorse," she interrupted rising from her seat.
"You were never good enough for him, Eva. Not with your father's debts, your mother's dependency, including your history."
Her word hit me so hard, so Henry had told her, I thought this was between us?
I wanted to speak, to defend myself, but my voice wouldn't come out. Every pair of eyes in that room nurses, even Henry's were fixed on me, waiting for me to crumble.
"I only came because I was worried," I whispered. Helena gave a short, mirthless laugh.
"How touching…" Helena's hands lay on her chest as she gave that pitiful look. "The woman who destroys everything she touches now wants to play nurse."
"Mother," Henry said again, harsher this time. "Enough."
She turned to him, raising a brow. "You are defending her now? She is the wife of your enemy? The reason why you have left this city in the first place."
I won't lie this was the first time I heard this, yes we had met in Bradex City, when I ran away from Ethan. I only came back to this annoying city because of him, because he had told me he needed to relocate. I didn't want to come because of Ethan but I had no choice, since I didn't want to make Henry sad. But now I am beginning to regret my actions.
Henry looked away, and that silence said more than words ever could.
She scoffed. "Typical. You always were too soft for your own good."
Then she faced me one last time, her expression composed, cruel, and utterly final. "Leave, Eva. Before I have a security escort you out."
I felt my throat tighten as Henry didn't stop her or say a word.
I turned and walked out of the room before anyone could see the tears welling in my eyes. My steps quickened, my vision blurring. By the time I reached the end of the hallway, I couldn't breathe.
I pressed my back against the cold wall, sliding down until my knees hit the floor. The sterile scent of antiseptic filled my lungs.
Why did I expect him to defend me? I hurt him so bad, I humiliated him.
I didn't know how long I sat there before the door opened again.
"Eva."
Whipping my head to the side and there Henry stood, still in his hospital gown, looking tired.
I stood up quickly. "I am sorry. I shouldn't have come. I just…" He raised a hand, cutting me off.
"You shouldn't have… If you haven't done anything about the troubles on the ground." His words froze me mid-breath.
His tone wasn't cruel, but it wasn't kind either. It was the voice of a man adding up consequences.
"Do you realize what your little drama last night has done?" he asked quietly.
"The board's in chaos. Reporters are camped outside the company gate. My mother wants me to end things publicly before the shareholders' meeting."
"I didn't plan for any of that," I said softly. "I didn't know Ethan…"
"Ethan," he repeated bitterly. "Of course it's him. It's always him, isn't it?"
I stepped back, shaking my head. "That's not fair."
"Fair?" His eyes flashed. "Do you think any of this is fair, Eva? I was the one who took the risk of being with you after everything that happened. I was the one who ignored the warnings and now I look like a fool in front of the entire board because you couldn't handle your past."
I bit my lip, the sting behind my eyes growing unbearable. "Henry, please…"
He sighed, pressing his fingers to his temple. "Do you know what's worse? My mother's right about one thing. Your name is poison to my reputation. "
The words sank like stones as he looked at me, his expression torn between pity and irritation.
"Maybe you should lie low for a while. Stay away from the media, from me till you divorce him… I think this will help both of us."
I swallowed hard at this, "You are cutting me off."
"I am saving what's left, for both of our reputations…. Take care of things from your side, maybe I will rethink this engagement."
Something inside me cracked then. "And what about my mother?" He hesitated.
"I have been covering her medical bills, the rent…"
"Henry, please don't…"
"I am not saying I will stop," he interrupted, his tone suddenly cold, "But if this scandal doesn't die down soon, I'll have no choice. My mother's already talking to the trustees about reallocating the family charity funds."
My breath caught. "You would really do that?"
He didn't answer, he didn't have to. The silence was enough. I stepped back, quivering.
"I thought you cared about me."
"I did," he said, voice weary. "Until last night proved I can't afford to." My heart ached so badly it hurt to breathe.
He turned away, signaling the conversation was over. "You should go, Eva."
I stood there for a moment, staring at the man I had almost promised my future to. The man who couldn't even lift a word in my defense when I was being torn apart.
Then I turned and walked out, my legs barely carrying me.