The things that happened in bed were too humiliating to speak of. Besides, shortly after their engagement, Ynda had swallowed her shame and tried to tell her parents about it once.


    But Vincent and Mrs. Walker had dismissed her concerns, evenughing that she was overreacting. They said Eden was just so fond of her that he lost control in bed.


    After that, she never wanted to bring it up again.


    Unable to get a clear answer, Mrs. Walker just assumed Ynda was being willful.


    When Eden and Vincent came down from the study, Mrs. Walker told Ynda to go home with Eden.


    "You two should head back. I''ll bring Ynda over again next time," Eden said, taking Ynda''s hand. His gentle and polite demeanor gave the Walkers no reason to find fault.


    Ynda passively let herself be led into Eden''s car.


    She was silent the entire ride, not saying a single word.


    When they arrived at their marital home, Ynda ignored Eden, went straight to her room, showered, and changed into her pajamas, ready for bed.


    As she stepped out of the bathroom, she saw Eden sitting on the sofa in her room, smoking.


    Ynda''s expression changed, and she instinctively took a step back. "What are you doing in my room?"


    "What do you think?" Eden sneered, stubbing out his cigarette in the ashtray. He stood up, walked over to Ynda, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her into his arms.


    "Once Bet is dead, the Thompson family will be mine. Your parents have been nagging me to work harder and get you pregnant sooner."


    With that, Eden tightened his grip on Ynda.


    Ynda screamed until her throat was raw.


    Eden showed no tenderness. Afterward, he sat on the edge of the bed, cursing with an impatient look on his face.


    "We''re just having sex, and you''re screaming like you''re being tortured Are you trying to jinx me on purpose?!" Eden finished dressing and


    turned to look back at Ynda.


    Ynda was huddled under the nkets, her face pale.


    "You''ve had a sour look on your face all day. Who are you trying to impress?" Eden said, grabbing her chin.


    Ynda was forced to look up at him, ring without a word.


    "What''s the matter? Bet''s about to die. Are you heartbroken?"


    Ynda continued to re at him in silence.


    "It doesn''t matter if you''re sad. Bet is destined to die. The Thompson family is destined to be mine And whether you like it or not, that belly of yours is only going to bear my children."


    Eden released her chin, stood up, and walked out of the room with a smirk.


    "Young Master," a maid cleaning the hallway greeted him respectfully when she saw him leave the room.


    "Yes. I''m going out. I won''t be back tonight," Eden said casually, loosening his tie as he headed out.


    After leaving the house, he drove directly to the nursing home where Mrs. Thompson Sr. was staying.


    Vanessa and her husband, Omar Bishop, had been taking care of Mrs. Thompson Sr. at the facility.


    When Mrs. Thompson Sr. heard the news of Bet''s grave injury, she was so delighted that her health seemed to improve by half.


    Vanessa sat by the bedside, peeling an apple for her.


    ??


    "I heard a bullet went right through Bet''s heart. He''s still stuck in the ICU. Father flew in experts from all over the country, but it was all for nothing. Bet is still in aa. I don''t think he''s ever waking up.


    Vanessa finished peeling the apple, cut it into small pieces, and offered one to Mrs. Thompson Sr.


    Mrs. Thompson Sr. bit into the apple, her smile stretching from ear to ear.