CHAPTER 2: THE WHISPERS OF MALICE
Evelyn survived the fall. By some miracle, the thick rug at the base of the grand staircase had cushioned the impact, and the doctors at the local clinic confirmed that the baby’s heartbeat was steady. But while her body began to heal, the atmosphere inside the Barrett mansion turned toxic.
Victoria did not apologize. Instead, she weaponized the incident.
"She’s clumsy, Julian," Victoria whispered one evening, her voice carrying through the cracked door of the study where Evelyn stood, holding a tray of tea. "A woman of true breeding knows how to carry herself. But more importantly... have you looked at her dates? Are you absolutely certain that child is a Barrett?"
Evelyn’s blood ran cold. She pushed the door open, her hands shaking so violently the teacups rattled. "How dare you! Julian, look at me! I have never been with anyone else. You know that!"
Julian looked up from his desk. The warmth that used to fill his eyes when he looked at her was entirely gone, replaced by a dark, simmering suspicion. "My mother is just asking logical questions, Evelyn. You were working at that art gallery when we met. You surrounded yourself with all kinds of men."
"I was a receptionist, Julian! I worked to pay my rent!" Tears burned Evelyn’s eyes. "Your mother pushed me down the stairs! She tried to kill our baby, and now she is trying to kill my character!"
"Enough!" Julian slammed his hand on the desk, standing up. "Stop accusing my mother! She has given everything to this family. If you have nothing to hide, you won't mind taking a prenatal paternity test."
"A prenatal DNA test carries risks for the baby," Evelyn pleaded, stepping back, clutching her belly. "The doctors said it could cause a miscarriage. Please, Julian. Just wait until the birth."
Victoria let out a soft, mocking sigh. "See, Julian? The guilty always find excuses. She knows the truth will ruin her little gold-digging scheme."
Julian turned his back on Evelyn, his silence acting as a green light for his mother’s cruelty. Over the next week, the whispers turned into a campaign. Victoria openly told the household staff that Evelyn was a loose woman. The maids began to ignore Evelyn’s requests. When she asked for extra pillows to ease her back pain, they told her they were "too busy."
But the final blow came on a Tuesday afternoon. Julian entered their bedroom, holding a piece of paper. His face was distorted with a rage Evelyn had never seen before.
"Explain this," he hissed, throwing the paper at her face.
Evelyn picked it up. It was a laboratory report from a premium genetic center. It stated, in cold, clinical terms, that the probability of Julian Barrett being the biological father of the fetus was 0%.
"This is a fake!" Evelyn screamed, her heart dropping into her stomach. "I haven't even given blood for a test! Julian, look at the logo, look at the date! Your mother forged this!"
"My mother bought this from a trusted contact inside the lab!" Julian roared, grabbing her by the arms and shaking her. "You lied to me! You made a fool out of me! I gave you a luxury life, and you brought a bastard into my home!"
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"It's yours! I swear to God, it's yours!" Evelyn sobbed, but Julian pushed her away with such force that she hit the edge of the nightstand.
He didn't look back as he stormed out, locking the door from the outside. From the hallway, Evelyn could hear Victoria’s chilling laugh. "Don't worry, son. We will handle her. She won't get a single penny from us."
