Chapter 391
Eva had only stepped outside to defend herself after overhearing some harsh words, but she hadn’t anticipated these girls would attack her family so directly. She clenched her teeth and shot them a piercing look. “Excuse me p>
“Oh, did I hit a nerve? It figures someone from a messed-up family like yours would side with Michael. You two are a pair of oddballs p>
“And if you were with Michael, who do you think would be the first to stray p>
Before Eva could respond, a deafening thud sounded behind her. She spun around to find a gaping hole punched in the school’s metal trash can.
Standing there, with a frosty demeanor, was Michael.
His glare was icy as it swept from Eva to the gossiping girls, and then, incongruously, his lips curled into a smirk.
“If you’re dying to know, why don’t you ask my fists p>
“Psycho!” The girls recoiled at his sudden appearance and scurried away, muttering curses.
Once they were gone, Michael approached Eva. The intense aggression had evaporated from his face, replaced again by the gentle, innocent boy she knew.
“Why stick your neck out for me? They were trash-talking me, not you. Why’d you even bother p>
Eva’s brow knitted in frustration. “They were wrong about me, so I spoke up. What’s it to you p>
With that, she turned and walked away.
Michael escorted her home that day.
It was the first and last time she saw Michael lose his cool. He never let it happen again.
At the time, the confrontation seemed like just a blip in Eva’s life. But in hindsight, she realized Michael’s upbringing must have been rough.
A fractured family can be worse than a single-parent home. At least she had her father’s unwavering love.
Lost in thought, Eva faced David. “I know some stuff. So what p>
David got the message.
“Seems like Ms. Hansen isn’t fully in the loop p>
“I know enough about his family drama from school p>
“Do you know his mom killed herself shortly after they moved overseas p>
The word “suicide” made Eva’s heart lurch. “What did you say p>
“You didn’t know p>
Eva was silent. She truly had no clue. She knew the Coopers had left for abroad, but that was the last she’d heard.
She had seen Michael years later, seemingly stable. She had assumed they’d patched things up.
Curiosity about their private affairs felt invasive, so she never pried. She never imagined his mother had taken her own life. “Was it because of… that affair?” She wanted to ask about the affair but stopped short in front of Dylan.
David caught on and nodded.
“His mother was devastated, and it pushed her over the edge. We can talk more later if you want p>
Eva realized this wasn’t a conversation for young ears.
“Sure, find some time to fill me in p>
“Will do, Ms. Hansen p>
They continued down the hall towards the villa.
From a distance, Eva saw Michael waiting at the door with Ruby by his side.
Unruffled by her approach, Michael’s concern was apparent. “You made it. You don’t look so good. Are you feeling alright?” Despite his surveillance, he always played it cool. Eva was about to snap back but remembered David’s news. She bit her tongue. Never mind. Arguing won’t help.
Ruby, meanwhile, leapt into Eva’s arms. “Mommy p>
Eva noticed Ruby’s reddened eyes. “What’s wrong, sweetie p>
Ruby sniffled. “I don’t feel good p>
“Let’s get you some hot cocoa later, okay p>
Ruby nodded.
Michael had clearly been taking care of her.
A man approached, introducing himself. “Hello, Ms. Hansen. I’m Steven, your butler. Anything you need, just ask p>
Eva remained stoic. Steven hadn’t done anything wrong, but the sadness was too fresh.
She didn’t need to ingratiate herself with anyone here. Any issues with the staff were Michael’s problem.
Steven, misreading her coldness, touched his head, puzzled.
Michael intervened. “They’ve had a long journey. Let’s let them rest p>
Steven quickly apologized for his oversight and led them to their rooms.
Eva dismissed the opulence of her room, kicked off her shoes, and collapsed onto the bed. It was soft and bounced comfortingly.
If only this were a holiday and not a gilded cage.
She was about to drift off when there was a knock at the door.
“Who is it p>
“Ms. Hansen, it’s me,” David called from outside.
Why him?
Eva sat up. “Come in p>
David entered, and Eva moved to the couch.
“Mr. Cooper’s out, so let’s talk. Brace yourself, though p>
Eva braced for the worst. What could be more harrowing than suicide?