Chapter 2

Actually, Eva had already given up on Jake once a long time ago.

She had worked with all her might to get into the same university as Jake, only to be met with him showing up not long after the semester started, accompanied by Ryann and wearing the doting expression that she had once thought was reserved for her alone.

"Eva, this is my girlfriend."

Eva felt as if her world was falling apart. Her face turned pale as she said hello to Ryann.

With a mischievous smile, Ryann found an excuse to send Jake away. Then, she watched Eva with a meaningful smile. "Poor young girl, you lost your parents so early and have lived under the Stephens family's roof for so many years. It must have been tough."

Eva froze, and she stammered in response, "It's not tough. Jake has always been nice to me."

"So, you fell in love with him, didn't you? It's not right to have such feelings for your brother. Imagine how your adoptive parents would feel if they knew about your feelings."

Eva's face turned ashen instantly. In anger and shame, she pushed Ryann, and the latter fell down on the ground, just as Jake came back and witnessed the scene.

Without thinking, he slapped Eva.

She covered her face and looked at Jake in disbelief. He had always cherished her since she was a little girl. But he slapped her to defend Ryann this time.

She forced a bitter smile and then left.

At that moment, she decided to give up on Jake.

Eva planned to go abroad after graduation so that she would never see Jake and Ryann again.

But she didn't expect things to change so quickly.

Jake and Ryann were forced to break up, and his parents used their adoptive bond with her as a form of emotional blackmail, desperately pleading for her to marry Jake.

She had thought it was a test and an opportunity given by heaven. But now she realized it was just another one of heaven's cruel jokes.

As the sky gradually lightened, Eva slowly got up.

She had just wasted three years. It was not too late to leave Jake now.

She got dressed and had her lawyer draw up a divorce agreement that waived all financial claims. Then she received a call from Jake's mother, Ellen Stevens.

Her voice was choked with emotion. "Ryann has appeared again. She's really haunted. James and I no longer expect you to give birth to a baby of the Stephens family now, Eva. But how can you not even keep your husband by your side? Jacob probably won't make it through this month. Please, no matter what means you use, ensure Ryann stays away from Jake. Can you do that?"

After hanging up the phone, Eva bit her lip hard and sighed.

Since the day she was brought into the Stevens family, everyone was nice to her, especially Jake.

But after he was forced to marry Eva, he ignored her, even at important events where he and she should appear together as a couple. He never hid his cold attitude towards her and subjected her to humiliation in various settings.

Many people had even embarrassed her in front of Jake, and he just coldly smiled.

If not for Jacob Stephens, Jake's grandfather, and his parents supporting her, everyone would have ridiculed her at any opportunity.

She owed a debt to the Stevens family.

She suppressed the bitterness in her heart and drove to the address she had found for Ryann. She knocked on the door and was greeted by the sight of Jake, whose upper body was bare.

He had smiled, but when he saw her, he turned cold and indifferent instantly.

As he was about to close the door, a soft voice came from inside. "Jake, who is it?"

Ryann came over with a smile. Her lips were slightly swollen, and the red marks on her neck should let Eva imagine Ryann and Jake had sex passionately a moment ago.

Even though Eva had mentally prepared herself, she still felt a pang of bitterness.

But she quickly remembered her purpose, so she lowered her eyes.

Then she raised them with tears brimming and said with sobs, "Jake, you're having an affair."

Suddenly, many reporters squeezed in behind her. They snapped photos of Ryann.

Jake's face tightened with anger instantly as he shielded Ryann and shut the reporters outside.

The reporters nodded at Eva. She wiped away her tears and left.

That afternoon, the Internet exploded with news that Jake had an affair with Ryan and was caught red-handed by Eva.

Along with that, another topic also trended: how Ryann had used her depression as a shield to bully classmates during her school days.

The news spread everywhere soon.

Ryann called Eva soon. "Eva, thank you for everything. Jake is even more protective of me now. He says he wants to stay with me and won't leave me for a moment."

Eva's eyes remained emotionless as she replied coolly, "Alright. He will surely keep you well-protected. He'd better never step out of the house. But it is too bad for you. The life of being centered by everyone you long for will never come true."

Ryann's voice on the other end turned sharp. "You didn't gain any benefit from exposing me. You'll just be ridiculed, too. And then Jake has abandoned you completely."

Eva silently laughed. "Do you really think I care?" "Do you really think I care?"

The door was slammed open, and heavy, furious steps immediately followed.

Eva heard Ryann give a light, coquettish laugh over the phone. "Look, my knight has arrived to defend me. Eva, don't hang up. I'll plead for you."