NOT A REPLACEMENT
Not Going to Take You Off

“Because I was married to Mr. Adam before Ms. Erina closed her eyes.”

“Long !”

Eve is shocked as Josh shouts while pounding the table. A waiter who stood close to his head but saw that the commotion was not accompanied by physical violence, he pretended not to know.

“Why did you make that decision without talking to me first, Eve ? Does our relationship for these 2 years mean nothing to you ? Are you still unable to love me ?”

“It's not so, Josh. Sorry I didn't tell you before. At first Ms. Erina only asked me to be a mother for Lucia because Ms. Erina did not want any other woman to take care of and raise her daughter,” said Eve who already could not hold back her tears.

“I don't mind if you want to acknowledge Lucia as our child, but there is no need to sacrifice yourself by marrying her father. Moreover, you have told me that Mr. Adam hates you. Do you not think that he will hurt you more not only feelings but could be up to the KDRT because he feels he is entitled to your life as a husband ?”

“Pak Adam will not do KDRT to me,” Eve said in a soft voice.

“How are you so sure ? Or maybe you and Mr. Adam.”.

“Stop Josh ! I've been telling you about Mr. Adam's relationship with our family even since before I was born, so a little bit I know how it is.”

“But you never know why he hates you, right ?” satirize Josh with a cynical smile.

“I'm tired of looking for answers, Josh and for me it doesn't matter anymore. I don't understand why Ms. Erina forced me to marry Mr. Adam if the goal was just to make sure there would be people to take care of me after he was gone.”

“I can marry you right then and there if it can make your brother's heart calm. My parents don't mind making you their daughter-in-law.”

”I've said that to Ms Erina even though I haven't asked you but she refused. Ms. Erina insisted on begging me many times to marry Mr. Adam. Sister Erina said one day I'll understand the reason.”

“So all this time your brother never agreed I became your lover,” complained Josh with a sad face.

“I don't think so, Josh. Ms. Erina had said that when she was happy because I finally had a good and sincere lover like you, she always prayed that we could both be happy together.”

“Then why did your sister suddenly change her mind, Eve ? I'm sorry if I thought your sister was so selfish. In the last moments of his life, he only thought of the happiness of his husband and son at the expense of his own sister's life.”

“I understand Josh, but no matter how much he is my older brother, the only family I have after my parents died. My brother has struggled to get me to this point. To me his request is a form of repayment for all his kindness.”

The atmosphere was silent, there was not a single word coming out of the mouth both of them only heard a long and heavy sigh.

“Eve, have you guys...”.

Eve had knitted her eyebrows to look at Josh who hesitated to continue his sentence and then threw his face in another direction.

“Life as a real husband and wife you mean ?”

Josh turned his head, looked at Eve scarred and nodded his head.

“Until this second I was just a sister-in-law whom she hated, who was forced to stay in the house to make her young daughter not lonely because she was left behind by her mother. We even slept in separate rooms, Josh.”

“Eve,” Josh clasped Eve's fingers on the table and her face was a little brighter like finding a new speck of hope.

“I'm going to see Mr. Adam and ask him to divorce you because I will be the only man who will make you happy as a husband. I don't mind if you want to take Lucia and raise the child as both of us. You just have to say yes and I'll get this done as soon as possible.”

“It's not that easy Josh.” Eve smiled bitterly.

“Lusia is Mr. Adam's biological child and there is no reason that I can separate them. I have now committed myself to becoming the successor to Ms. Erina as her mother Lucia, with or without her confession from Mr. Adam.

“Eve me..”.

“I'm really sorry to you, Josh. Thank you for the 2 years we spent. I'm really happy and grateful to have your love that makes me dare to open my heart.”

”Eve, with or without your consent I will keep an eye on Mr. Adam. If in a year he still hasn't changed, I'll snatch you from his side, no matter what your condition is.”

“Josh please,”ink Eve with face pleading.

“That intention of yours made me feel even more guilty. Forget me Josh, our relationship ended up here.”

Eve who is desperate with Josh's attitude wakes up.

“I'm home first, Josh.”

“I'm delivery,” Josh restrains Eve's arm.

“No need.”

Josh does not press Eve's refusal to pull her arm toward the cashier and does not give the girl a chance to stay away.

There was no conversation during the return trip, only instrumental music from the car audio.

“Thank you, Josh,” Eve said with a smile as Josh's car stopped in front of Adam's gate.

“Eve, I mean it with my words.”

“Josh, I beg you..” Josh put his index finger on Eve's lips.

“We'll see how Mr. Adam went through his wife's request. If she can't help or hurt you, I promise I'll take you away from her and make you the happiest woman as my wife.”

Eve just smiled thinly. He opens the car door followed by Josh who leads him to the gate.

Unexpectedly Josh pulls Eve's slender body into his arms. The girl tried to break away but Josh instead tightened his embrace.

“Eve, don't force yourself. Leave Mr. Adam if you can no longer and go to me. Remember that there are still men who love you and can make you happy.”

Eve returned to shed tears, her feelings getting mixed.

“Don't cry,” Josh broke his embrace and rubbed Eve's cheek with the back of her hand.

“Come in and rest. Don't block my number,” Josh ruffled Eve's hair with a smile.

“Thank you Josh,” Eve smiled back even if a little forced.

Eve rushed in because aunt had been waiting behind the gate. He no longer turned his head to just wave at Josh because his heart was getting sick when he had to release the man who had stolen some of his heart in the last 2 years.

While outside, Josh who was already standing beside the car door glanced at the 2nd floor while pulling one corner of his lips. He knew that Adam was watching from the upstairs window.

that's why Josh deliberately chased Eve and hugged her so Adam could see that the girl he hated was so valuable to other men.

I will not give up Mr. Adam, if necessary I will take Eve in even crazier ways. Don't let your guard down because I'll take a chance at every crack that opens.