Chapter 7 Lavinia Enters the House

At 8:30 PM, the sound of a car came from downstairs.

Soon, Harold and Jessica came upstairs.

Eleanor had just finished her shower when she heard Harold and Jessica talking.

"Daddy, is Lavinia really coming to our house tomorrow to teach me violin?" Jessica blinked her big eyes, her little face full of excitement and joy.

"Of course." Harold patted her head.

"Go to bed early tonight, you need to practice violin well tomorrow."

"I know, Daddy. I'll definitely practice hard!"

"I'm so happy—"

The next second, Jessica's smile collapsed.

"It's just too bad Daddy has to work tomorrow, otherwise the three of us could be together... Wait, that bad mommy will be home too."

Eleanor heard Jessica mutter irritably.

"I wish that bad mommy wasn't home."

"Jessica, don't talk like that." Harold's words carried reproach, but there was no trace of anger on his face.

Just a light, meaningless scolding.

Jessica pouted. "Daddy, it's because Mommy is too mean. She keeps targeting Lavinia. I really hate bad mommy."

Harold coaxed Jessica back to her room.

As he pushed open the master bedroom door, he met Eleanor's calm, emotionless eyes.

Harold pressed his lips together. "You..."

Eleanor coldly looked away.

Harold frowned.

"Did you hear what we said?"

Eleanor didn't answer.

Anger rose on Harold's face. "What's that supposed to mean? Jessica doesn't like you—why don't you look for the problem in yourself?"

Hearing this, Eleanor almost laughed in frustration.

In Harold and Jessica's eyes, whether I've done anything wrong or not, I can never compare to Lavinia.

Eleanor looked up, glancing at the embarrassed and angry Harold, her voice calm to the point of indifference.

"Did I say anything just now?"

"Who are you making that sour face for?" Harold glared at her. "I told you to reflect on yourself at home. Have you reflected at all?"

"The sick ones aren't me—it's you two. You're the ones who need to reflect."

Eleanor turned back to the bed, pulling back the covers to go to sleep.

Harold rushed forward in exasperation and grabbed her arm.

"That's enough, Eleanor! How long are you going to keep this up? Can't you be reasonable? Do you have to make Jessica and me hate you before you're satisfied?"

Eleanor shook off his hand.

"You never liked me to begin with. Whatever I do, you'll only hate me more."

I was too foolish before, throwing my whole heart into this already crumbling marriage, forcing my broken heart to hold on, just wanting to keep this family together.

Little did I know, Harold and Jessica never wanted a family with me in it.

"You're the one being unreasonable!" Harold angrily turned and left.

Bang—

The door slammed shut.

Eleanor didn't bother with it.

She slept well through the night.

The next day, when she came downstairs, she heard Lavinia and Jessica chatting happily in the music room.

The intermittent sound of the violin played all day.

In the evening, a heavy rainstorm suddenly began.

"Jessica, I should go home now. I'll come teach you again tomorrow."

"Lavinia, it's pouring rain—don't go home. Just stay here. I want to sleep with you." Jessica pleaded.

Lavinia bit her lower lip. "Jessica, that's not appropriate. Your mom won't be happy."

"Forget about her!" Jessica puffed up her little face angrily.

Jessica hugged Lavinia's leg. "I want Lavinia to stay." Then she looked at Harold nearby. "Daddy, tell Lavinia to stay!"

Harold looked at Lavinia. "Lavinia, the rain is too heavy. Just stay here tonight."

Lavinia looked hesitant.

"Harold, this isn't appropriate. Eleanor..."

Harold snorted coldly. "This is my house. She has no say in it."

"Yay! I can finally sleep with Lavinia." Jessica danced with joy. "Daddy, can Lavinia live here forever? I want to be with Lavinia every day."

"That depends on what Lavinia decides."

Harold and Jessica's words reached her ears.

Eleanor's nails dug deep into her palms.

Reality was too cruel.

Fortunately, she had seen through it all.

Eleanor turned and went upstairs to her room.

She was completely disappointed in Harold and Jessica now, only wanting to leave this cold, loveless place as soon as possible.

The rain grew heavier, accompanied by lightning and thunder.

Each bolt of lightning seemed ready to split the sky open.

In the early morning hours, Eleanor heard Harold's phone buzz twice, then the sound of Harold getting out of bed and leaving the room.

In the darkness, she opened her eyes.

Eleanor got up, got out of bed, and quietly followed him out.

The guest room door was slightly ajar, and Harold's gentle voice came from inside.

"Lavinia, don't be scared. I'll stay here with you."

How tender and devoted.

If these two weren't her husband in name and her husband's unforgettable first love...

Eleanor might even applaud and bless them.

Just then, a flash of lightning struck.

Lavinia cried out and threw her arms around Harold.

Harold's body stiffened. Feeling Lavinia's body trembling, he raised his hand to pat her back soothingly.

"Don't be afraid. I'm here."

At the doorway, Eleanor witnessed this scene.

Lavinia suddenly met her eyes and let out a deliberately panicked cry, hastily releasing Harold's waist.

"I'm sorry, Eleanor. Don't misunderstand..."

Harold whipped around, meeting Eleanor's gaze, a flash of panic crossing his handsome face. "It's not what you think. Lavinia is afraid of thunder. I came to keep her company. Don't overthink it."

Eleanor turned and walked away.

"Eleanor!"

Harold immediately started to chase after her.

Lavinia grabbed him, saying in a trembling voice, "Harold, don't go. I'm scared."

Soon Eleanor returned, carrying a quilt. She walked past the two of them and threw the quilt onto the guest room bed.

"Keep it down tonight. Don't disturb my sleep." She turned to leave.

The air went dead silent for a moment.

Harold's face turned livid. He rushed out and grabbed Eleanor's wrist, saying through gritted teeth, "What did you just mean by that?"

Eleanor's face was cold.

"I just asked you to keep it down so I can sleep."

Harold pressed her against the wall, his gaze dark. "How long are you going to keep this up? I already explained to you..."

"You don't need to explain to me." Eleanor coldly cut him off.

Harold's expression grew extremely gloomy.

Lavinia came out after them, deliberately trying to ease the tension. "Harold, don't be angry. This is all my fault. I'll explain to Eleanor..."

"Shut up." Eleanor gave her a cold look.

Harold was furious, tightening his grip on Eleanor's wrist.

Eleanor's face turned pale, and she glared at him through gritted teeth. "Let go of me!"

Harold thought about how Eleanor had thrown his quilt on Lavinia's bed, and his blood boiled.

"Harold, don't hurt Eleanor—"

Lavinia tried to help break them up.

"Don't touch me!" Eleanor said with disgust.

During the struggle, Lavinia deliberately bumped into Eleanor, then pretended to be hurt, crying out as she fell to the ground.

"Lavinia!" Harold quickly caught her.

Meanwhile, Eleanor was knocked off balance by Lavinia's bump, stumbling several steps to the side. She suddenly missed her footing and tumbled down the stairs.

Thump, thump—

Eleanor rolled down the stairs. Her whole body ached as if it was falling apart, and her forehead had hit something. Something warm flowed down her cheek. She raised her hand to wipe it, and her palm was stained with bright red.

Vivid crimson.

Witnessing Eleanor roll down, Harold's pupils constricted sharply, and he immediately moved to check on her.

"It hurts." Lavinia clutched her stomach with a pained expression.

Harold's attention was immediately pulled away, his handsome face full of worry and anxiety. "What's wrong, Lavinia? Where does it hurt? Let me see."

"My stomach. Harold, my stomach hurts so much." Lavinia gripped Harold's arm tightly. "My baby..."

"What baby?" Harold's body stiffened, his gaze falling on her.

Lavinia's white nightgown was stained red with blood.

Lavinia cried and pleaded, "Harold, save the baby."

"I'll take you to the hospital right now!" Harold couldn't think it through—he could only urgently lift her in his arms and carry her quickly downstairs.

Downstairs, Eleanor had just managed to sit up with difficulty, leaning against the stair railing. Suddenly hearing Lavinia mention "baby," Eleanor's body went rigid, her eyes full of shock.

They already had a child?

Just as Harold carried Lavinia past her, Eleanor endured the pain and reached out to grab Harold's pant leg. Her eyes were red, her face stubborn as she demanded, "Harold! The baby—is it yours?"