I'm pursued by superstar after betrayed

Violeta Reynolds poured coffee for Selah Young first, then for Raiden Evans and Nola Evans. Selah took a slow sip, her usual disdain for Violeta rolling off her in waves—she’d never been able to see the girl as a proper fit for her son, and it showed in the way her brows stayed pinched tight the whole time.

"Why don’t you get in the kitchen and help instead of just sitting there? The Crescent Bay housekeeper’s been out for days. You know how Raiden loves home cooking. If he doesn’t get it, his stomach’s gonna act up, and then what?"

Violeta, long used to Selah’s harsh attitude, darted a glance at Raiden. But today, he didn’t step in. He just stood up and headed for the kitchen himself.

Raiden’s eyes lingered on his coffee cup for a beat, surprised. After a long pause, he said, "Mom, why are you being so hard on her?"

Selah stared at him, shocked. Her son had never once stepped up to shield Violeta from her criticism before. He was always swamped—working late, tied up with business, never had any time for family.

Selah knew her son better than anyone; he didn’t care about Violeta, not really. She sighed. "What’s this about? Are you finally thinking of divorcing her? You can have a kid with someone else who’s actually worth it. Even if Clark Snyder has clout, he can’t touch us."

Sure, new power players were popping up left and right, but the Evans family foundation was solid. They didn’t have anything to fear.

Raiden glanced toward the kitchen, catching the soft edge of Violeta’s silhouette through the door. Her posture was always perfect, back ramrod straight—years of rigid etiquette lessons from her privileged upbringing had trained her that way.

For a split second, Raiden thought: marrying someone I don’t love… Violeta isn’t even a bad choice. She’s obedient, polite, and every now and then, she’s actually kind of funny.

"Thinking about grandkids already?" Selah shot him an exasperated look. "If Violeta can’t get pregnant, I’ll just find someone else to carry your baby."

Raiden’s brow furrowed deep. The thought of some other woman carrying his child made his skin crawl. The deal he’d struck with Violeta was clear: she wouldn’t have his kids, not until she proved she was worthy of carrying an Evans heir.

"If you really want a grandchild, just wait a little longer. It’s not the right time yet."

Selah set her fork down. She was probably waiting for someone specific to show up. It was a rare thing, these days.

"Forget it," she sighed. "You know I’ve held out hope for so long. I know exactly who I’m waiting for. Even after that person left in the car accident… why do I still cling to it?"

Raiden’s expression went dark instantly.

Nola quickly leaned in, nudging Selah’s arm. "Mom, c’mon, it’s been two years. Why dredge that up again? Who even knows what that person’s up to now? They’re probably rotting in a ditch somewhere, honestly. And hey, Violeta’s the same type as that girl, anyway. Neither of them can survive without a man to cling to."

To make it worse, Raiden’s first love had run off with some broke nobody while Raiden himself was laid up recovering from that same accident.

At dinner, Violeta helped the staff set the table—laying out dinner rolls and spiced honey cake while the rest of the Evans family took their seats. It was one of those rare nights when Khalil Evans wasn’t home. Visits from him had been scarce ever since Violeta married into the family.

When she sat down next to Raiden, her stomach twisted hard at the smell of the food, and she couldn’t hold back a gag.

Nola gasped, one hand flying to cover her mouth. "Violeta… are you pregnant?"

Violeta’s face went paper white, her knuckles white where she gripped her fork. "No, I just have a stomach ache."

At Nola’s question, Violeta noticed Selah’s expression shift, and the faint, amused quirk of Raiden’s mouth. He’d never pressed her about having a kid. He always just brushed it off with a "we’ll see."

"I really just don’t feel good."

Selah set her fork down slowly, her glance saying more than any words ever could.

The air in the room went thick and tense, and it stayed that way all through dinner. When dinner ended and Violeta was getting ready to leave, Selah pulled her aside with one more piece of "advice."

"I heard you got a job?"

"Quit it. Stay home and take care of Raiden."

Violeta pressed her lips together, her gaze steady and clear. "He has a housekeeper to look after him."

It was a rare act of defiance against Selah.

Selah’s face hardened, and she sneered. "Violeta, you know I’ve never been happy with you. Your only job, your only value, is taking care of Raiden."

Violeta took a deep breath. "Mom… does he have someone else?"

That made Nola roll her eyes so hard her whole head moved. "Violeta, what are you even implying? Is that how you talk to my mother? Do you forget your monthly allowance comes straight through her? One of these days that money’s gonna vanish, and you’ll have nothing. You should count your lucky stars you got to marry my brother. It’s a blessing you don’t deserve, and there’s a dozen girls out there who’d take your place in a heartbeat."

Violeta had endured all this coldness for months because she truly cared for Raiden. But tonight? She wasn’t holding back anymore.

"If that person really exists… that would actually be a relief."

Selah and Nola stared at her, stunned, before Selah slammed her palm down on the table. "This is outrageous!"

Raiden set his coffee down, his gaze locking straight with Violeta’s. For two years, he’d loved how compliant she was. But tonight? She wasn’t playing that nice, obedient girl anymore.

He stood up, his tone cool and even. "Let’s go home. Mom, don’t get worked up. I tracked down that antique bracelet you wanted. I’ll have Hamza bring it over tomorrow."

Selah huffed and let the matter drop.

Violeta followed Raiden out to the car. Once they were inside, he turned to her and asked, "Are you really pregnant?"

He’d been lighting a cigarette as he spoke, and after a second, he tucked the lighter away. "We’ll go to the hospital."

Violeta almost laughed at his sudden concern. "If I am… what do you plan to do?"

Irritation sharpened his gaze. All that lazy, teasing charm he usually wore was gone completely. But she already knew his answer, didn’t she? She didn’t need to ask.

She’d always known he could be ruthless. But seeing it laid out right in front of her… that hit different.