Chapter 22: Our First Days

The first night was the hardest.

Evelyn had imagined motherhood countless times during her pregnancy, but nothing had prepared her for the reality.

Every tiny sound Ethan made pulled her awake.

A soft whimper.

A little stretch.

The slightest movement in his hospital cot.

She barely slept, yet she didn't feel tired.

Instead, she found herself staring at the tiny boy sleeping peacefully beside her.

His chest rose and fell in slow, steady breaths.

His tiny fingers occasionally twitched in his sleep.

He looked so small.

So fragile.

"So this is what everyone means," she whispered.

"You become obsessed with watching your baby."

As if he had heard her voice, Ethan slowly opened his eyes.

For a few seconds, mother and son simply looked at each other.

Then he yawned.

Evelyn laughed quietly.

"You've already mastered the art of pretending nothing happened."

A gentle knock sounded on the door.

A nurse walked in carrying a clipboard.

"Good morning, Mum. How are you feeling today?"

"A little sore."

"That's completely normal."

The nurse examined Ethan before smiling.

"He's doing wonderfully."

"Healthy heartbeat."

"Healthy lungs."

"And he's feeding very well."

Relief spread across Evelyn's face.

"Thank goodness."

"You don't need to thank anyone."

The nurse smiled warmly.

"You're doing an excellent job."

Evelyn looked down at Ethan.

"It doesn't feel like I know what I'm doing."

The nurse chuckled.

"Every first-time mother says exactly the same thing."

"The fact that you're worried tells me you're already a good mum."

Those words stayed with Evelyn long after the nurse had left.

Later that morning, Arthur and Amelia arrived carrying balloons and fresh flowers.

Arthur gently knocked before entering.

"May we meet the young gentleman?"

Evelyn smiled.

"He's awake."

Amelia hurried to the bedside and gasped.

"Oh, look at him!"

"He's even more handsome than yesterday."

Arthur leaned over the cot.

Ethan blinked sleepily before letting out a tiny squeak.

Arthur laughed.

"I think he just said hello."

"You wish," Amelia teased.

"No, I heard it."

The three of them laughed together.

For the first time in a long while, Evelyn didn't feel like a stranger in the world.

She had people who genuinely cared.

Not because of her surname.

Not because of money.

But because they cared about her.

Arthur handed her a small gift bag.

"This one's from the entire office."

Inside was a beautifully bound children's storybook.

On the first page, every member of the Collins International team had written a short message welcoming Ethan.

Evelyn blinked back tears.

"They all signed it?"

Arthur nodded.

"They've been asking about both of you every day."

She closed the book carefully.

"Please tell them... thank you."

"I will."

After Arthur and Amelia left, the room became quiet again.

Evelyn picked Ethan up and held him against her shoulder.

He smelled of baby powder and warmth.

"So many people already love you," she whispered.

"You haven't even been home yet."

Ethan made a sleepy little sound before drifting back to sleep.

She gently kissed his forehead.

"You'll never have to wonder whether you're wanted."

"Because you always will be."

That evening, while the hospital corridors grew quieter, Evelyn sat by the window with Ethan sleeping in her arms.

Snow still covered the rooftops outside.

She remembered another winter.

A winter spent inside the Sterling Mansion.

Back then, she had decorated a Christmas tree by herself.

She had waited until midnight, hoping Damian would come home.

He never did.

She had cried herself to sleep on the sofa.

Today...

She wasn't waiting for anyone.

She wasn't hoping for love that would never come.

The little boy in her arms was all the love she needed.

She smiled softly.

"Thank you."

She wasn't sure whether she was thanking God...

Life...

Or the tiny miracle sleeping peacefully against her chest.

Perhaps all three.

Outside, the snow slowly began to melt beneath the morning sun.

Inside the warm hospital room, Evelyn looked down at her son and realised something.

She had arrived in London with nothing except a broken heart and a secret.

Now, she had a future.

And it was sleeping safely in her arms.