Chapter 39: If It’s Difficult, Then No Explanation

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: If It’s Difficult, Then No Explanation

She was never just Julian Sterling’s ex-wife.

And certainly not his older brother’s accessory!

She was simply Evelyn Grant.

The Evelyn Grant who was a crybaby as a child, who would trip and fall, then insist on giving the candy she’d picked up from the ground to Ryan Sterling.

He’d been a germaphobe even as a kid, so naturally, he refused it.

As a result, she just cried even harder!

In the end, Florence Morgan thought her younger son was bullying the girl and even gave Ryan Sterling a spanking for it.

It got to the point where the only exception to his germaphobia was Evelyn Grant.

No matter how dirty or disgusting something was, if she gave it to him, he would take it.

As for when Ryan Sterling realized he was in love with her...

He’d forgotten.

He only remembered that his gaze would subconsciously follow her, feeling a sense of peace only when he could confirm she was within his line of sight.

Evelyn Grant bit her lip, too moved to know what to say.

’That’s right.’

’It’s true that Julian Sterling and I were childhood sweethearts, and it’s true we were officially married.’

’But by the same token, Ryan Sterling and I also grew up together.’

’If you ignored the fact that they’re brothers... then my relationship with Ryan Sterling also has that element of being childhood friends.’

’I really do still think of things from the perspective of being Julian Sterling’s ex-wife.’

"I’m sorry. I just haven’t shifted my mindset yet."

"You don’t need to apologize to me. Just change it," Ryan Sterling said with a slight smile. "Now, is there anything else you want to say?"

Evelyn Grant froze for a moment. "Actually, I just wanted to remind you... about this whole ’turning the act into reality’ thing, this proposal that ends in divorce... If the Sterling Family members find out, including your parents and your brother, they won’t understand, and it’ll be very hard to explain."

"If it’s hard, then I won’t explain."

He never felt the need to explain his actions to anyone.

"Then are you really going to... with me..."

"Evelyn Grant, this is your compensation to me! Besides, what are you hesitating for? Didn’t I already say it? Our relationship ends the day we get divorced."

Evelyn Grant looked up at him.

She had more questions, but it seemed she already had the answer.

Hadn’t Ryan Sterling said it before? He was only doing all this to make the person he loved jealous.

In that case, it all made sense.

After considering for a few seconds, Evelyn Grant nodded in agreement. "Alright, let’s do it. If you need to end this arrangement early at any point, you can tell me anytime."

’For instance, if the person he loves really gets jealous and is willing to come back to him.’

’Then my job would be done, and I could make my exit.’

"Okay."

Still not fully reassured, Ryan Sterling turned and went back to his room, returning with a drafted agreement. "Sign it."

"..."

...

Since she didn’t have to go to the law firm, Evelyn Grant returned to her room to handle some work matters, then set aside two hours for a short nap.

After all, she was a pregnant woman.

Although it was still early and didn’t have much of an impact yet, the pregnancy had, more or less, brought some physical changes.

For example, pulling all-nighters used to be a common occurrence for her, something she was long accustomed to.

But now, if she didn’t catch up on sleep, she would be yawning nonstop, her consciousness feeling like it was about to float away from her body!

Ryan Sterling knew she was resting, so he didn’t go up to disturb her.

Until a call came from Florence Morgan.

"Eve, what time do you get off work today?"

Evelyn Grant groggily opened her eyes and rubbed them. "I’m not at the firm today. What’s up?"

"In that case, can you come by the old Sterling estate tonight?"

Perhaps afraid she would refuse, Florence Morgan quickly added, "I’ve been sick these past few days, and all I can think about is having a sip of your chicken soup! Could you...?"