Rebirth of Billionaire's Wife - Chapter 371

Chapter 371: Why is he so determined to destroy our family?
After dropping Eveline home, Ella drove back to her apartment with her phone pressed against her ear.

Clicking her tongue in frustration, she glanced at the screen and muttered, “Why isn’t she answering my calls?”

She had been trying to reach Mischelle, but the phone continued to ring, unanswered.

By the time she reached her house, she had already called five times and the second she entered inside…

“Ha!”

Ella flinched, startled by the sudden sound. But the moment she saw who it was, her tense expression eased.

“Stefan,” she breathed in relief, ending the call and slipping the phone back into her pocket before stepping forward to hug him.

“I missed you,” she murmured, holding him tightly.

Stefan caressed her hair before pressing a soft kiss on her forehead. “Me too, that’s why I decided to surprise you.”

Ella stilled for a moment before tilting her head to look up at him. “How’s your father? I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet him,” she said, a hint of regret in her voice.

Stefan smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry. He knows you’re busy, and trust me, he isn’t upset. We can visit him anytime.”

Ella smiled, resting against him as she tried to shake off her exhaustion.

“By the way, who were you calling?” he asked.

“My mom. I wanted to talk to her since I didn’t get the chance yesterday, but she’s not answering. Maybe she’s busy,” Ella said with a small sigh.

Stefan nodded in understanding as they made their way to the couch.

Ella leaned her head on his shoulder while Stefan gently ran his fingers through her hair. Silence settled between them, peaceful and unspoken.

“You never asked why I wanted to look into my father’s past,” Ella suddenly muttered, turning her head slightly to meet his gaze.

Stefan held her questioning eyes and smiled. “He’s your father. You have every right to know about it, Dove.”

A wave of relief washed over Ella, and a smile tugged at her lips.

“But that doesn’t mean I won’t have your back. I’ll always be watching over you because no matter who Jedrick is, he’s still someone we can’t trust.”

Ella nodded in agreement, grateful for Stefan’s unwavering support.

“I tried to find some kindness in him,” she admitted, her voice softening, “but after what he did to your father, I doubt he has any empathy.”

Stefan didn’t say a word, but he could see how deeply Ella was affected.

“Maybe I was expecting too much,” she muttered, closing her eyes.

Wrapped in his comforting embrace, Ella didn’t realized when exhaustion took over and she drifted into sleep. Stefan, however, remained awake, watching her. He knew she had barely slept the night before, tormented by the truth of what Jedrick had done to Marcus.

He hadn’t wanted to break the news to her like that, but keeping it to himself had felt impossible, knowing how many lives were entangled with that one man.

***

[Miller Mansion]

“How was your trip?” Jonathan asked, setting his coffee cup aside. His sharp gaze observed his daughter, who had barely spoken a word since returning.

Eveline snapped out of her thoughts, blinking as she met her father’s eyes. She had told them she would be traveling with Ella for a day, but she never disclosed the destination.

Now, as Jonathan questioned her, she found it difficult to keep the truth to herself.

“It was good, but it left us exhausted,” she said, forcing a smile.

Jonathan nodded, not pressing for details, and returned his attention to his coffee.

“Dad, can I ask you something?” Eveline asked, drawing his focus back to her.

His eyes flickered with curiosity as he studied her expression.

“Did you ever try to find out who Jedrick’s real parents were?”

Jonathan’s expression subtly shifted. The way she treaded cautiously intrigued him, though he didn’t show it outright.

“There was no need for us to investigate his biological parents. He was adopted from foster care,” he said, his tone calm but firm.

Eveline was taken aback by his unwavering response, but she nodded nonetheless.

“Of course, there was no need,” she murmured. But after a brief pause, she added, “But, Dad… don’t you think Jedrick resembles Grandpa a lot? How can an adopted son have the same features and eyes as him? Isn’t that too much of a coincidence?”

“What do you mean by that, princess?” Jonathan asked, his voice calm but laced with an underlying sharpness.

Eveline swallowed hard at the sight of his darkened eyes. She had wanted to take her time uncovering the truth, but now she wondered if she could even keep her suspicions hidden from her parents.

“I-I think Jedrick is Grandpa’s biological son,” she finally admitted.

But the reaction she received left her stunned.

“So, you think the same?” Jonathan said, almost nonchalantly, before returning to his coffee.

“You too?” Eveline asked, confusion flickering across her face.

“I mean, everyone seems to think that way, princess. But that doesn’t mean it’s true,” Jonathan stated matter-of-factly.

His response didn’t sit well with Eveline.

“I could be wrong, but what if he is, Dad? I mean, isn’t it possible—”

“So now you’re accusing my father?” Jonathan’s voice rose, his calm demeanor cracking. “You think he was unfaithful and that Jedrick is the result of his infidelity?”

Eveline flinched at his sharp tone. This was the first time she had seen him this upset with her—something she never imagined she would witness.

“I-I didn’t mean—”

“Then you shouldn’t have said it.” Jonathan pushed back his chair, standing abruptly. “I suggest you stop overthinking things.”

Without another word, he walked away, leaving Eveline frozen in place, her mind spinning with even more unanswered questions.

***

“You shouldn’t have said that, Eve. We don’t have enough proof to even raise those doubts,” Gabriel’s voice came through the phone, his tone firm yet understanding.

Eveline sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

“I know,” she admitted, sinking onto the couch. “But I thought maybe it was better to talk to him about what I felt—about what I found. Instead, I just made a mess of things, didn’t I? Now he’s upset with me.”

She hadn’t considered how her words might offend Jonathan, and now she regretted bringing up the topic at all.

“I just want to understand,” she whispered. “Why is he so determined to destroy our family?”