Chapter 9: The First Kick

Three months had passed since Evelyn arrived in London.

Life had slowly settled into a routine.

Every weekday, she woke before sunrise, prepared a light breakfast, and took the Underground to Collins International.

The work was demanding, but she welcomed every challenge.

For the first time in years, she wasn't introduced as someone's wife.

She was simply Evelyn Hartley—a capable consultant who earned respect through hard work.

Her colleagues valued her ideas.

Her managers trusted her judgement.

It was a feeling she had almost forgotten.

But pregnancy had a way of reminding her that life wasn't only about work.

That morning, the smell of freshly brewed coffee drifting through the office made her stomach churn.

She quickly excused herself and hurried to the ladies' room.

A few minutes later, she rinsed her mouth and splashed cold water over her face.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror and smiled faintly.

"You really don't like coffee, do you?" she whispered, gently stroking her growing belly.

When she returned to her desk, Amelia looked up from her computer.

"Morning sickness again?"

Evelyn gave a sheepish nod.

"I'm afraid so."

Amelia reached into her drawer and handed her a packet of plain crackers.

"My sister practically lived on these when she was pregnant."

"They might help."

Evelyn accepted them with a grateful smile.

"Thank you."

"You've been taking such good care of me."

Amelia shrugged.

"That's what friends do."

The simple words warmed Evelyn's heart.

When she had boarded the plane to London, she believed she would face everything alone.

Now, she realised life had quietly given her people who cared without asking for anything in return.

That weekend, Evelyn attended her monthly prenatal appointment.

The familiar scent of antiseptic filled the clinic as she lay back on the examination bed.

The doctor carefully reviewed her medical records before smiling.

"Everything looks very good."

"Your baby is growing exactly as expected."

Relief washed over Evelyn.

She hadn't realised how tightly she had been holding her breath.

"May I hear the heartbeat again?" she asked softly.

"Of course."

The doctor applied cool gel to her abdomen before moving the ultrasound probe across her skin.

A moment later...

Thump... Thump... Thump...

The tiny heartbeat echoed through the room.

Strong.

Steady.

Beautiful.

Tears filled Evelyn's eyes.

No matter how many times she heard it, it never failed to move her.

The doctor continued studying the screen before looking back at her.

"Would you like to know the baby's gender?"

Evelyn blinked.

She had thought about it many times.

Part of her wanted it to remain a surprise.

Another part couldn't wait any longer.

After a brief pause, she smiled.

"Yes."

"I'd love to know."

The doctor adjusted the scanner slightly and smiled.

"Congratulations, Miss Hartley."

"You're having a healthy baby boy."

For a few seconds...

The room seemed to stand still.

"A... boy?"

The doctor nodded.

"A very healthy little boy."

Tears rolled silently down Evelyn's cheeks.

She laughed through them.

"A son..."

She had a son.

A tiny little boy who already depended on her for everything.

The doctor printed an ultrasound picture and handed it to her.

"You can keep this."

Evelyn accepted it with trembling hands.

It was the first photograph of her child.

The first picture of the little miracle who had given her a reason to keep moving forward.

As she left the clinic, she walked slowly through a nearby park.

She sat on an empty bench beneath a large oak tree and looked down at the ultrasound picture.

"My handsome little boy," she whispered.

"I can't wait to meet you."

She carefully slipped the picture into her handbag before placing both hands over her stomach.

"I promise..."

"No matter what happens..."

"You'll always be loved."

The weeks passed.

Morning sickness gradually faded, but new challenges took its place.

Her back ached after long meetings.

Her favourite clothes no longer fit.

Some nights she struggled to find a comfortable position to sleep.

Other nights she woke from dreams she wished she could forget.

In those dreams, Damian smiled as he held their son in his arms.

They looked like a happy family.

Then she would wake up...

Alone.

She would close her eyes for a moment before gently rubbing her stomach.

"It's alright," she whispered.

"We have each other."

One rainy evening, Evelyn curled up on the sofa with a book in her hands.

The apartment was peaceful.

The sound of rain tapping against the windows filled the silence.

Suddenly...

She felt something.

A tiny flutter.

So soft that she wondered if she had imagined it.

She lowered her book.

Another gentle movement followed.

Her eyes widened.

She slowly placed both hands over her belly.

"Was that you?"

A tiny kick answered her.

A joyful laugh escaped her lips as tears blurred her vision.

"You kicked me."

"My sweet little boy..."

"You really kicked me."

There was no husband sitting beside her.

No family gathered around to celebrate.

Only silence.

Yet that silence no longer felt lonely.

It felt peaceful.

She smiled through her tears.

"Hello, my little prince."

"Mummy felt you."

"And every day..."

"I love you a little more."

Outside, the rain continued to fall over London.

Thousands of miles away, Damian Sterling sat alone in his office, surrounded by contracts and endless meetings.

For reasons he couldn't explain, Evelyn crossed his mind.

He wondered where she was.

Whether she had found happiness.

Whether she was finally living the life she deserved.

He pushed the thoughts aside and returned to work, never imagining that across the ocean, the woman he had divorced was smiling as their unborn son kicked for the very first time.

Neither of them knew what fate had planned.

For now...

One was learning how to become a mother.

The other had no idea he was already a father in waiting.