My Vitamins Were Swapped For Contraceptives

“Chris, it really wasn’t me!”

When Eliana Harvey confronted Christopher with her suspicions about the vitamins—spilling out everything she’d found in a rush—Octavia Jensen flat-out denied it.

“I honestly don’t even know Tammy’s ex-boyfriend’s name. After she stopped working for me, we lost touch. Why would I ever conspire against Eliana?”

“Eliana, I know my presence—and our child—has hurt you. If you’re angry, yell at me. Hit me, even. But I can’t admit to something I haven’t done!”

Eliana watched Octavia deliver an award-worthy performance. Guilt clung to her like a shadow, yet she played the innocent part flawlessly. And female intuition? It gave Eliana an answer she couldn’t ignore.

“Octavia, you know exactly what you did.”

“Enough, Eliana!”

Christopher’s voice sliced through, cold and firm. He couldn’t believe Octavia would swap Eliana’s vitamins for contraceptives. She hadn’t been back to Dublin in years. The Octavia he knew wouldn’t hurt an ant—let alone do something so despicable.

“Daddy’s scary, Mommy. I’m scared!”

Christopher’s sharp tone and dark expression frightened little Gage, who ran straight into Octavia’s arms.

“Shh, Gage. It’s okay. Mommy’s here. Don’t be scared.”

Octavia knelt on the carpet, gently soothing the child in her arms. Seeing the guilt flicker across Christopher’s face for scaring his son, Eliana tightened her grip on the vitamin bottle. Suddenly, the truth didn’t seem to matter anymore.

“Eliana!”

Christopher snapped out of it and caught Eliana leaving. He hurried after her and grabbed her arm.

“I’ll get to the bottom of this. I’ll give you an explanation.”

“Don’t bother!”

Eliana shook him off.

“Maybe I should thank whoever switched my vitamins for contraceptives. At least I didn’t end up having your child!”

“What’s that supposed to mean, Eliana?”

“Exactly what it sounds like.”

With a bitter smile, Eliana turned and stepped into the elevator without looking back.

Watching her go, Christopher frowned deeply, his mind spinning. Who could have swapped Eliana’s vitamins for contraceptives? Could it really be…?

“Chris, Gage is having an episode!”

Octavia shouted suddenly, jolting Christopher from his thoughts. He rushed back into the room and found Gage convulsing on the floor. He scooped Gage into his arms and shouted for someone to call an ambulance.

Eliana left the hotel and slipped straight into Zora Morales’s waiting car. Earlier, Zora had wanted to confront Octavia with her, but Eliana had insisted on handling it alone.

“Eliana, what did she say? You don’t look good—did it get ugly?”

“No.”

Eliana shook her head wearily, closed her eyes, and sank into the seat. Her mind replayed the way Christopher had stood protectively beside Octavia and their little family. Somehow, the truth had stopped mattering.

“Zora, once my visa goes through, I’m leaving.”

She opened her eyes and gave Zora a wry smile. Zora understood: Eliana’s disappointment in Christopher was pushing her to leave Dublin as soon as possible. Sympathy twisted in Zora’s chest, and she pulled Eliana into a warm hug.

“Eliana, you have to let go of the people who hurt you. There’s nothing worth holding on to. You’re amazing, and someday you’ll find someone who treasures you.”

Eliana just leaned on Zora’s shoulder, tears falling quietly. She no longer dared hope for someone better. At first, she’d thought maybe she didn’t deserve Christopher. But marriage should be a partnership of equals, and she wasn’t going to make herself small for anyone.

At the very least, she had loved and given with her whole heart. Why should she have to accept a marriage tainted by betrayal?

Later that afternoon, Eliana got a call from her adoptive father, George Peterson, inviting her over for dinner. She agreed, planning to see her adoptive parents before leaving the country. That evening, she bought gifts and went back to the Peterson house.

George and his wife, Calliope, had prepared a lavish dinner. But when they saw Eliana arrive alone, George’s disappointment showed.

“Eliana, why didn’t Chris come with you?”

“He’s busy today.”

Eliana didn’t mention Christopher’s illegitimate child.

Her mother had left her for a wealthy businessman when she was five, and her father had raised her after that. At eight, her father died in a work-related car accident while driving for the Petersons. Out of guilt, the Petersons took her in—but they treated her like nothing more than a servant’s child, never with real warmth.

Three years ago, when Tessa Mason decided on a whim to match Eliana with Christopher, George eagerly proposed the union. Mrs. Mason arranged the marriage soon after. Only then did the Petersons start treating Eliana well—not out of love, but because they wanted to flatter the Harveys and save their nearly bankrupt real estate company.

Eliana knew full well that if her adoptive parents found out she planned to divorce Christopher, they’d fight her tooth and nail. So she kept her plans to herself—at least until she left for good.

Despite his disappointment over Christopher’s absence, George knew better than to offend Eliana—now the family’s golden ticket. Throughout dinner, he and Calliope were overwhelmingly warm and welcoming, letting Eliana pretend, just for a moment, that she had a family.

After dinner, as Eliana sat with Calliope on the sofa, her adoptive mother brought up the topic carefully.

“Eliana, you know your father’s company has struggled since the crisis three years ago. Fortunately, a project we’re developing now looks very promising.”

“We’d hate to let someone else swoop in and reap the benefits. Would you mind asking Chris if he’d be interested in investing? We’re family, after all. It’s good to make money together.”

As she spoke, Calliope handed Eliana a document folder. Eliana paused for a moment, then took it and opened it. Inside was a property development proposal and an investment contract.

So this was the real reason her adoptive parents had called her back tonight.

The fleeting warmth Eliana had felt in the Peterson home vanished in that instant. Ever since they’d taken her in eighteen years ago, she’d known George and Calliope had never truly seen her as their daughter.

Still, no matter what, they had given her a home when she was an abandoned child. For that, she would always be grateful.

Yet, holding the documents as she left the Peterson house, Eliana felt like she was carrying something scalding. She’d resolved to divorce Christopher. How could she possibly ask him to invest in the Petersons’ project?