Ever since she got pregnant, Evelyn felt like she’d regressed to being a child.
Everyone did everything for her. She couldn’t even step outside without the driver and Lily Thompson trailing behind her, terrified something might happen.
At the company, she had more freedom.
But the moment she left the building, she had to report to Alexander Sterling in advance and get his approval.
Evelyn felt like she was in a prison.
“You know what? Yesterday at noon, I wanted to go out and buy some mangoes after lunch. The second I walked out of the company, my phone rang.”
“Alexander called and asked me where I was going.”
“How do you think he knew I was leaving?”
“Did he install a tracker on me or something?” Evelyn complained to the mirror.
“You’re on his turf. How could he not know your whereabouts?” Charlotte Moore said with a smile from the mirror.
“But he’s so busy. He can’t be watching the cameras all the time!” Evelyn asked.
“Why are you so dense? With your phone, it’s easy for him to know where you are. He doesn’t need to stare at any cameras! Not just in the company, he knows where you are outside too!”
“Oh, right!” Evelyn realized.
Her phone had GPS. Of course, it was easy for him to track her!
“But it still feels like being in prison, with someone watching me everywhere.” She couldn’t help complaining.
“I wouldn’t care about you if I were him! Otherwise, if you went missing, no one would bother!”
“Mirror, you’ve changed,” Evelyn said, staring at her friend with a smile.
“Changed how?” Charlotte looked down at herself. Her chest had shrunk a bit! All those tears!
She’d lost weight, and her bust had shrunk.
“Didn’t you used to hate Alexander so much you couldn’t even speak for him?”
“I never hated him. I was just worried he couldn’t take good care of you.”
“Now I see he’s treating you well, so I’m relieved.” Charlotte rolled her eyes.
“He’s always been good to me!” Evelyn nodded.
“Yeah, yeah, I know you love him. Don’t rub it in for a single woman like me, okay?”
“So, when are you going to get back together with Noah Grant?” Evelyn asked.
“What does Noah have to do with me?” Charlotte answered, a little guilty.
“Don’t tell me you’ve been single all these years just waiting for him!”
“Who said I’ve been waiting for him? I just haven’t found the right young guy I like!” Charlotte sneered.
“Keep pretending!”
Charlotte glared at Evelyn, who just smiled. She didn’t keep teasing her friend. Instead, she changed the subject.
“I might have to resign next month.”
“Why?” Charlotte looked at her curiously.
“It’s really inconvenient to go to work with a big belly.”
“Besides, I’m so sleepy now. I can’t get up in the morning. Alexander keeps turning off my alarm clock, so I’m late once or twice a week.”
“It’s not a good look.”
“Instead of working half-heartedly, I might as well stay home and focus on the baby.” Evelyn explained.
She was thinking about taking maternity leave.
But reality was harsher than her ideals.
Getting up on time every day, sitting in front of the computer until her back ached, the commute back and forth—it was all a challenge for her now.
It wasn’t impossible to handle, but as her mother said, the family didn’t need her salary. And her body was too weak. It might affect the baby. The risk wasn’t worth it.
So, after thinking it over, she decided to listen to her family. She’d resign first and stay home to rest. Later, when she was free and wanted to work again, she could.
“I told you that a long time ago, but you insisted on working. Now you finally see the light!” Charlotte replied.
“Yes, I admit I was wrong.” Evelyn smiled, not arguing.
“Honestly, I still think a woman should have her own career after marriage. Not just for the income, but for her own dignity.”
“If something goes wrong in the marriage, she has a way out.”
“Of course, I’m not talking about you.”
“I’m just talking about female friends in general.”
“In real life, women are always in a weak position with no security.”
“When it comes to having a baby, a man just does his part and that’s it. The woman has to go through ten months of pregnancy, give birth, and take care of the child. Having a baby also affects her job. It all falls on the woman.”
“And this period is the most vulnerable. It’s the time when men are most likely to cheat.”
“To put it bluntly, a woman quits a good job to have a child. After the child is born, the husband has an affair.”
“She can’t divorce during the breastfeeding period. But once that’s over, she gets kicked out. What kind of protection do women have?” Charlotte said indignantly.
“Mirror, you’re not even married yet. Why are you so pessimistic?” Evelyn asked, smiling.
“I’m not pessimistic. Some colleagues at my company have gone through this. It’s just not worth it.”
“The situation you described doesn’t apply to me. But I do agree that a woman should have her own career and dignity.” Evelyn nodded.
“You’re pregnant. I shouldn’t be telling you this. I’ll feel terrible if it affects your mood.” Charlotte propped her chin up and smiled.
“I’m fine. I’m not that sensitive. And Alexander is good to me. I won’t overthink it.” Evelyn smiled.
“Hmph, you’re showing off your love again!” Charlotte scoffed.
“No, I’m just telling the truth.”
“Maybe when you get married, your husband will be even better to you.”
“I don’t even know if my husband has been born yet!” Charlotte sighed.
“Nonsense. How old are you? Your husband hasn’t been born yet?”
“It’s popular now for older women to marry younger men!” Charlotte laughed.
“No matter how young, it can’t be too extreme. You’re 23 this year. If your husband hasn’t been born yet, how old will he be when he reaches marriageable age?” Evelyn rolled her eyes.
“That means I’m charming!”
“You’re impossible. You’d better just wait for Noah to come back!”
“Why do you keep bringing up Noah? I think you two would be a good match!”
“If we were really a good match, we would have started something by now.”
“Maybe fate hasn’t arrived yet.”
“Speaking of fate, it’s really amazing. I still can’t figure out how you ended up with Alexander.”
“That’s fate!” Evelyn laughed, her heart light.
“It really is a magical fate!” Charlotte mimicked her.
Evelyn burst out laughing.