Kneel to You No More
My fingertips traced the cool rim of the celadon teacup.
When the door was pushed open, the wind chime rang sharply.
The woman who entered was wearing an off-white dress.
Her pregnant belly protruded, stretching the hem of the dress and causing it to warp slightly.
She walked straight to the sofa opposite me and sat down, her movements deliberately composed.
"I am Evelyn Pearson," she said, her voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of provocation, "I have been with Ethan Silva for almost two years."
I did not look up; my eyes remained fixed on the tea leaves in the cup.
"Mrs. Silva," she said again, emphasizing the word "Mrs.", "Ethan said that the one he truly wants to marry is me."
At last, I lifted my eyes to look at her.
Her face carried the softness of a new mother, yet in her eyes lay a fierce determination.
"What do you want?" I asked, my voice as calm as a deep pool.
"I want you to leave him," Evelyn Pearson straightened her back, adopting the posture of the rightful wife, "This place was always meant to be mine."
I pressed the call bell beside me.
Chandler, the butler, soon appeared at the doorway.
"Chandler," I said, "bring me the two documents from the study."
Chandler nodded and withdrew.
Evelyn looked at me, a trace of confusion in her eyes.
After a moment, Chandler returned with the documents and a check.
I pushed the documents toward Evelyn.
"The one on the left," I said, pointing to a document, "is the transfer paperwork for the suburban villa with a garden, along with a luxury car."
Evelyn's eyes lit up slightly.
"The one on the right," I said, pointing to the other document, "is a check for five million."
Her breathing visibly grew more rapid.
"Two choices," I said, looking at her with an utterly steady tone, "take the villa and the car, quietly bear the child, and never appear before Ethan Silva and me again."
Evelyn Pearson's fingers clenched tightly around the hem of her skirt.
"Either," I paused, "take the check and leave this city, never to return."
She remained silent for a long moment, her fingers nervously brushing over the two documents.
Finally, she looked up, reluctance flickering in her eyes, yet she chose the document on the left.
"I'll take the first one." She said.
I gestured to Chandler to hand her the document.
"Sign your name, and all of this will be yours." I said.
Evelyn Pearson took the pen and signed her name swiftly on the document.
After signing, she picked up the documents and stood up.
"Mrs. Silva, I hope you mean what you say." She left that sentence hanging as she turned and left the living room.
The moment the door closed, I lifted my teacup.
The warm tea slid down my throat, but it couldn't dispel the chill in my heart.
That evening, Ethan Silva came home.
He had a faint scent of alcohol; as soon as he walked in, he embraced me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.
"Nola," his voice tinged with laziness, "let's have a child."
My body stiffened.
The vase in my hand nearly slipped and fell to the floor.
"What did you say?" I turned around and looked at him.
There was a trace of expectation in his eyes.
"We've been married so long and still have no children," he said, "My mother has been pressuring us."
I let out a cold sneer.
"Have you forgotten the woman who came to the house earlier today?" I asked, challenging him.
Ethan Silva's eyes flickered briefly.
"That was just an accident," he defended, "My heart belongs only to you."
"An accident?" I repeated the word, my tone dripping with sarcasm, "An accident of a woman carrying your child?"
Ethan Silva fell silent.
After a moment, he took my hand.
"Nola, I know I was wrong," he said softly, "I will take care of Evelyn Pearson's situation."
"And then?" I looked at him. "You want me to bear your child and share the title of Mrs. Silva with that woman?"
"No," Ethan hurried to explain, "I will make Evelyn leave, and then we can live a good life together."
"Live a good life together?" I shook off his hand. "Ethan Silva, do you really think we can live a good life together now?"
He looked at me, a hint of pain in his eyes.
"Nola, I know you're upset," he said, "but I truly want to have a child with you."
"I've told you many times," I took a deep breath, struggling to suppress the anger beneath, "my body isn't suited for pregnancy."
"Medical technology is so advanced now," Ethan Silva insisted, "we can find the best doctor. No matter how much it costs."
"Money?" I looked at him, suddenly finding it laughable. "Ethan Silva, do you really think money can solve every problem?"
He was stunned.
"I know you've sacrificed a lot for the Silva Family." His tone softened somewhat.
"I know you don't care about the Silva Family's property, but I want to give all the best to you and our child."
"Does that include your infidelity?" I asked, challenging him.
Ethan Silva's expression darkened.
"Nola, do you really have to speak like that?" His voice carried a hint of impatience.
"I'm simply stating facts," I said calmly. "Ethan Silva, there will be no child between us."
He looked at me, his eyes filled with disappointment.
"Why?" He pressed, "Is it because of Evelyn Pearson? Or is it because you never loved me at all?"
I did not respond.
Some things need not be said too plainly.
I tolerate his behavior only because when my father's company went bankrupt, the Silva Family lent us a helping hand.
This debt of gratitude, I must repay.
But that does not mean I can accept his betrayal, much less bear his child.
Ethan Silva saw that I remained silent and did not press further.
He turned and walked toward the bedroom.
I was left alone in the living room.
Moonlight filtered through the window, falling on the floor like a thin layer of frost.
As previously agreed, I must accompany Evelyn Pearson to the prenatal checkup.
The atmosphere in the car was heavy and oppressive.
Evelyn leaned against the car window, gazing out at the scenery.
Suddenly, she turned her head and looked at me.
"Mrs. Silva, are you very envious of me?" She asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Envious of what?" I stared ahead, refusing to meet her eyes.
"Envious that I can bear Ethan's child," she said, "unlike you, who can't have one at all."
I tightened my grip on the steering wheel.
"At least I am Ethan's lawful wife," I retorted, "while you are nothing but a mistress hiding in the shadows."
Evelyn Pearson's face instantly turned pale.
"You're talking nonsense!" she shouted. "Ethan loves me! He's only trapped by you!"
"Loves you?" I sneered, "If he truly loved you, he wouldn't allow you to appear before me in such a position."
Evelyn was left speechless by my words.
Silence fell once again inside the car.
When we arrived at the hospital, I accompanied Evelyn to have an examination.
While waiting for the results, Evelyn suddenly clutched her stomach, her face twisted in pain.
"My stomach... it hurts so much..." she groaned.
A sudden shock gripped me, and I hurriedly called for the doctor.
The doctor hurriedly pushed Evelyn Pearson into the emergency room.
I stood in the corridor, feeling a mixture of emotions.
After a while, the doctor came out of the emergency room.
"Who is the patient's family member?" The doctor asked.
Just as I was about to speak, Ethan Silva rushed over.
"It's me! I'm her boyfriend!" Ethan said urgently. "Doctor, how is she? Is the baby alright?"
The doctor sighed.
"I'm sorry, sir," the doctor said, "The baby couldn't be saved, and the patient now needs to rest well."
Ethan Silva's face instantly turned pale.
He paused for a moment, then suddenly spun around and grabbed my wrist.
"Was it you who did this?" His eyes bloodshot with fury, Ethan demanded, "Did you deliberately cause her to lose the baby?"
His grip on my wrist was painfully tight.
"I didn't," I struggled to explain. "She was unwell—this has nothing to do with me."
"How dare you deny it!" Ethan shouted. "If you hadn't provoked her, how could she have miscarried?"
"I didn't provoke her," I said, looking at him with a heart full of disappointment. "She was the one who mocked me first."
"I don't care!" Ethan Silva said firmly. "You must apologize to her!"
"I'm not at fault. Why should I apologize?" I asked, challenging him.
"So you refuse to apologize?" Ethan's eyes darkened with fury. "Then kneel to me! Until she forgives you!"
I stared at him, unable to believe what I was hearing.
"Ethan Silva, have you lost your mind?" I shouted.
"I'm not mad!" He shoved me forcefully. "Are you going to kneel or not?"
I stumbled, nearly losing my balance.
Everyone around was staring at us, their eyes filled with curiosity and pity.
I knew that if I didn't yield today, I would only make things harder for myself.
I took a deep breath and slowly knelt down.
My knee met the cold floor, sending a sharp sting through me.
Ethan Silva looked at me, his eyes completely devoid of sympathy.
He turned and walked into the emergency room, leaving me alone in the corridor, bearing the strange gazes of all around.
Shortly after, I received a call from the hospital.
On the phone, they told me my younger brother Carol Wilson had an accident.
When I arrived at the hospital, my brother had already been taken into the resuscitation room.
Mother sat on a chair outside the resuscitation room, crying inconsolably.
I walked over and gently embraced Mother.
"Mom, don't worry," I comforted her. "Carol will be fine."
Mother lifted her head, tears welling in her eyes as she looked at me.
"Nola, what should we do?" Mother choked on her words, "The doctor said Carol's condition is very critical."
I gently patted my mother's back, trying hard to remain calm.
"No, Mom," I said, "Carol is so strong; she will surely pull through."
But deep down, I knew the situation might not be hopeful.
Younger Brother had been in poor health since childhood, and with this sudden accident, I feared the worst...
I didn't dare think any further.
The lights in the resuscitation room stayed on for what felt like an eternity.
Finally, the lights went out.
The doctor emerged, removed his mask, and shook his head.
"I'm sorry, we did everything we could," the doctor said.
At those words, Mother's vision darkened, and she fainted.
I was stunned as well.
My mind went completely blank.
Younger Brother... just left like that?
I couldn't believe it.
We even spoke on the phone yesterday; he told me that once he got better, he would take me on a trip.
How could it be today...
I walked into the resuscitation room.
Younger Brother lay on the hospital bed, his face as pale as a sheet of paper.
His eyes were tightly shut, never to open again.
I went to his bedside, took his cold hand, and finally couldn't hold back my tears.
After handling Younger Brother's affairs, I found a will in his room—it was addressed to me.
"Older sister, I'm sorry for making you worry for so long."
"I know you suffered a great deal because of me."
"When Dad's company went bankrupt, you married Ethan Silva to save our family."
"I know you don't love him, and I know you have been unhappy living with the Silva family."
"Older sister, I have always felt deeply guilty."
"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have had to endure such hardship."
"Now I'm leaving; you don't need to worry about me anymore."
"Older sister, promise me that from now on, you'll live for yourself."
"Do what you want to do, and go where you want to go."
"Don't ever wrong yourself for anyone."
"Older Sister, I love you."
I looked at the Will, tears streaming down uncontrollably.
Younger Brother always understood my hardships.
But I couldn't protect him properly.
Afterwards, I went to the hospital to visit Mother.
Mother was still in a coma.
I sat by her bedside, gazing at Mother's pale face.
My thoughts drifted back to long ago.
At that time, Father's company had not yet gone bankrupt.
Our family was living happily.
Later, Father's company ran into trouble.
Our family was suddenly plunged into crisis.
Just when we were at a dead end, the Silva family reached out to help.
But their condition was that I marry Ethan Silva.
For the sake of the family, I agreed.
At first, Ethan treated me fairly well.
But before long, he exposed his true character.
He started staying out all night, and the women around him changed one after another.
For the family's sake, I swallowed my pride and endured everything silently.
But now, my younger brother is gone.
The reasons I held on no longer seem to exist.
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