[I apologize for messing up. I have marked the chapter number wrong.So, please forgive me.]
The atmosphere in the usually lively living room was tense, subdued by the gravity of Evan's words as he laid out the details of what was to come.
Claire, his mother, sat across from him, her hands clasped together tightly. Beside her, Amelia, his mother-in-law, seemed equally anxious, her eyes darting glances between Evan and her daughter, Suri.
Even though the information was heavy, Suri sat relaxed on the couch, her head resting against the backrest as though she hadn't a care in the world. In fact, she almost looked like she would rather be back in bed.
Amelia's brows furrowed as she watched her daughter, an expression of disbelief etched on her face. Evan was talking about the challenges, the power struggles, the potential for backlash from those who saw him as a threat, yet Suri barely seemed to notice, her gaze half-lidded, her mind perhaps miles away. Frustrated, Amelia leaned over, her whisper loud enough for only Suri to hear.
"Why are you turning into such a pig? Do you think any man will love you if you become a chubby pig, lounging around like this?"
Suri's eyes snapped open, narrowing dangerously as she turned her head to meet her mother's gaze. Her voice came out low but biting, "Mom, stop embarrassing me. I am not a pig, and I have a superhuman metabolism. I can digest everything I eat without an ounce of it showing up."
Amelia sniffed, unfazed by her daughter's pointed glare. "Metabolism or not, if you keep eating like that, it'll show up eventually. And what's more, people will start to notice how little attention you pay to the real world."
Catching the whispered exchange between the two, Evan held back a small smirk but kept his tone serious. "Suri may have a point, though. We're all handling this situation in our own ways. And besides, she should rest. Suri already had her fair share of struggles."
Claire glanced between her son and Suri for a moment before he spoke up, her voice filled with concern.
"But Evan, is all this really necessary? You're already up against forces that could... Is it okay to tear apart everything you've worked for? Is it worth putting your family in this kind of danger?"
Evan's gaze softened as he turned to his mother. "Mom, I understand the risk. But this isn't just about me—it's about these greedy mongrels wanting to chew everything to satisfy their greed."
Suri's gaze finally sharpened, her earlier drowsiness replaced by a glint of determination. "And we're not alone in this. You've got me, Dad, and all of us backing you up, Evan. We're not running from this fight."
Amelia sighed, her concern still lingering but softened by her daughter's shift in demeanor. "Just... don't take anything lightly. You may feel invincible, Suri, but even the strongest can fall."
Suri nodded, a rare seriousness settling over her. "I know, Mom. We all know. But that's exactly why we're going to see this through."
"Do I look like I'm joking?" he replied, his tone solemn.
She hesitated, studying his face for a moment before finally sighing. "Fine. I believe you—for now." Her heartbeat quickened as she processed the revelation, her gaze shifting to the floor.
"But..." she continued after a moment. "That's not the only thing that worries me."
"What else?" Evan asked, curious yet cautious.
"You're a remarkable man, Evan," she said, her voice softer. "Too remarkable, in fact. It's hard to believe that a man like you would ever be content with just one woman."
Amelia then stared at Evan's face and had to say, it was quite bewitching enough to attract anyone.
Evan froze, caught off guard by the bluntness of her statement. He felt a surge of frustration but composed himself and met her gaze.
"I swear on everything I hold dear," he said, his voice ringing with sincerity, "that I only love Suri. No other woman has ever—and will ever—compare to her in my eyes."
"I have seen countless women but except Suri, I hardly found anyone beautiful," Evan spoke with a sigh.
Amelia's serious expression softened, but then her lips curled into a mischievous smile, her eyes twinkling with an almost sinister glint. Evan watched her warily as she leaned in with a smirk.
"Then, son-in-law," she murmured, "tell me something."
He raised an eyebrow, bracing himself. "What?"
Her grin widened as she asked. "Am I beautiful?"
"..."
Was he going to be fucked up?