"Miss, here is your lunch." Launa brought the lunch tray into Eveleen's room.

"I'm not hungry, Launa," Eveleen replied.

Eveleen looked at Launa, who stood before her bed holding the food tray. The young girl didn't dare look her in the eye, her shoulders slightly hunched as if awaiting punishment.

"Mr. Damian said you must keep up your strength for... for a healthy pregnancy," Launa said, her voice trembling. "If you don't eat, I will be the one to face the consequences."

The words felt like a hard slap to Eveleen. Damian wasn't just controlling her through direct coercion but also through guilt towards others. He was ruthlessly using innocent people as tools to force her submission.

With a heavy sigh, Eveleen finally nodded. "Alright, put it there."

Launa quickly placed the tray on the small table near the window, her face relieved. "Thank you, Miss. I'll wait outside until you're finished."

After Launa left, Eveleen approached the table and looked at the served food. It was a delicious, nutritionally balanced meal, specifically designed to prepare her body for conception. But to her, it felt like a condemned prisoner's last meal before execution.

She picked up a spoon and began to eat mechanically. Every mouthful felt like a stone in her mouth, but she forced it down. Not for her health, not for the potential baby in her womb, but to protect Launa from Damian's wrath.

As she ate, her mind worked. Damian had revealed her weakness—she cared about others—and he would use that against her. But perhaps, this very thing could also become her strength.

After finishing half her meal, Eveleen called Launa back. "Tell Mr. Damian that I have eaten."

Launa looked at the half-empty plate and gave a small smile. "Yes, Miss. Thank you."

***

"Miss, there is a visitor asking for you," came Launa's voice from outside the room.

"Asking for me? Who?" Eveleen murmured, quite surprised by this.

Before Eveleen could even rise from her seat, the bedroom door opened to reveal the figure of an elegantly dressed woman. Launa stood behind her with her head bowed.

It was a graceful woman adorned in a light blue, elegant dress. Her hair was impeccably styled, her face beautiful, but her gaze held a sharpness.

"Oh, so you're the woman my husband chose?" Grace asked without preamble.

Eveleen looked at her with a confused expression, as if she didn't understand the woman's line of conversation. Meanwhile, Grace was clearly scrutinizing her appearance from head to toe with a faint, mocking smile.

"Tsk. So it's just a poor girl looking for a get-rich-quick scheme," Grace sneered, her voice like a dagger slowly twisting.

Eveleen frowned, a hot feeling spreading in her chest. "What do you mean? And who are you?" she asked, still bewildered.

Grace lifted her chin arrogantly. "Oh, let me introduce myself. I am Grace Kathleen Xoel, the lawful wife of Damian Qiano Xoel."

Thump!

Eveleen's eyes widened. Her body seemed to lose strength for a moment, forcing her to straighten her back stiffly. His wife? she thought, shocked. She truly hadn't expected that Damian already had a wife.

Grace crossed her arms, her gaze cold and piercing. "Are you pretending to be shocked now? Or did Damian simply not have time to explain his status to you?"

Eveleen clutched the napkin on her lap tightly, still feeling both confused and angry. If he had a wife, why did Damian want a child from *her*?

Grace smiled thinly again. "I also know about your... *agreement*. You are to provide my husband with a child. Frankly, I don't mind you being his mistress. However, remember one thing: this is strictly a contract. Once you are pregnant, never try to seduce him or force your way into my husband's life. I will never allow that to happen!" Grace stated with heavy emphasis.

Eveleen took a deep breath, trying to gather the last shreds of her courage. Her gaze, which had been confused and oppressed, now sharpened, filled with newfound conviction.

"You are mistaken, Mrs. Xoel," Eveleen said, her voice much calmer than she expected. "I am not your husband's mistress. I am merely a... forced incubator, complying with the agreement your husband made."

She stood up, looking directly into Grace's eyes. "And one more thing, I have absolutely no interest in your husband, and I have no desire to be part of your lives. In fact, all I want is my freedom back." Eveleen said all of this clearly and calmly.

Grace looked slightly taken aback by Eveleen's firmness. Her sneering smile faded a little.

"You think I'd believe such sweet talk?" Grace retorted, though her tone was less confident than before.

"Whether you believe me or not is your choice. But know this: I am here against my will. My father is in debt, and this is the method of repayment. I have no intention or desire to be part of Mr. Damian Xoel's world any more than necessary. Once this contract is over, I will leave and disappear from your lives forever," she replied, still calm and looking directly into Grace's eyes.

Grace let out a short laugh. "How interesting," she tittered. "Very well, I'll hold you to every word you just said, little girl. Maid, you are my witness," Grace said.

Launa, who was still standing there, gave a small nod.

"Alright then, I suppose for now I don't need to worry about anything. But, Eveleen, I will be watching you!" Grace declared, turning to leave, followed by Launa.

Eveleen immediately sank back into the chair, her body weak.

"How did I get entangled in someone else's marital problems?" she murmured. "Why can't she get pregnant? Why does he need a rented womb?"

***