Mag-log inThree days after Sophia's friends invaded my home, I came back from work to find her in the kitchen again.
Using my pans. Cooking my food. Humming like she belonged here.Something in me snapped."Get out."She turned, looking innocent. "I'm just making dinner, I thought it would be nice to cook for everyone.""I don't want your food, I want you out of my kitchen.""Eve, don't be like this. I'm trying to contribute, trying to make things easier for you.""You'Three days after Sophia's friends invaded my home, I came back from work to find her in the kitchen again.Using my pans. Cooking my food. Humming like she belonged here.Something in me snapped."Get out."She turned, looking innocent. "I'm just making dinner, I thought it would be nice to cook for everyone.""I don't want your food, I want you out of my kitchen.""Eve, don't be like this. I'm trying to contribute, trying to make things easier for you.""You're trying to replace me, there's a difference.""That's not true.""It is true, you've been doing it since the day you moved in. Using my things, sitting in my spaces, playing wife when you're not.""I'm not playing anything.""You are, you're playing the role you've always wanted. Mrs. Damon Sterling, the woman of the house, the mother of his child. But it's all pretend, Sophia. All of it."Her face hardened. "The baby is real.""Is it? Or is that pretend too?"
I woke up Sunday morning still feeling raw from the gala.Damon was already awake, on his phone."What are you doing?" I asked."Drafting a statement for the company's PR team. Clarifying that you're my wife and that any pregnancy claims are unverified pending paternity testing.""Your mother's going to lose her mind.""I don't care, last night was unacceptable and I'm fixing it."He showed me the draft. It was clear, direct, left no room for misinterpretation."When are you sending it?""As soon as you approve it."I read it again. "Send it."He did.We were having breakfast when Sophia emerged from the guest wing. She looked tired but satisfied, like a cat who'd gotten into the cream."Good morning," she said cheerfully. "Last night was lovely, thank you for letting me attend."I said nothing."Your mother was so kind to me, Damon. She made me feel so welcome.""My mother overstepped," Damon said coldly. "And it won't happen again."Sophia's smile faltered. "I don't know what you me
Three days of peace.Three days where Damon kept his word, where Sophia stayed in her wing, where things felt almost normal.I was starting to believe maybe we'd turned a corner.Then the invitation came.Damon brought it home Wednesday evening, a heavy cream envelope with gold lettering."What's that?" I asked."The Sterling Foundation Gala, it's this Saturday. Annual charity event, biggest night of the year for the company.""Do we have to go?""Yeah, my parents are hosting. It'll look bad if we don't show up."I took the invitation from him, read it over. Black tie, seven PM, the Plaza."Okay, I'll find a dress.""Actually, I already ordered you one. Should be here tomorrow."I looked up at him. "You ordered me a dress?""I remembered you saying you didn't have anything formal enough for these things, wanted to save you the stress of shopping."Something warm bloomed in my chest. "That was thoughtful.""I'm trying."He was. The past few days he'd been trying so hard. Coming home on
I woke up to an empty bed and silence.For a second I thought Damon had left, then I smelled coffee.I got up, followed the scent to the kitchen.He was standing at the stove making eggs, still in pajama pants and a t-shirt. The table was set for two with fresh flowers in a vase."Morning," he said when he saw me.I didn't respond, just watched him."I made breakfast, your favorite. Scrambled eggs with cheese, toast, bacon. Coffee's fresh."I sat down at the table.He brought over two plates, set one in front of me. Poured coffee into my mug."Before you ask, Sophia is in her wing. I told her last night that she needs to stay there today, no exceptions. No emergencies, no interruptions. Today is about you."I picked up my fork."I know I can't fix yesterday, I can't give you back your birthday. But I can try to show you that I heard what you said last night."The eggs were perfect, exactly how I liked them."I called out of work," he continued. "Told them I have a family emergency and
I came home at seven that night.The apartment was dark except for the living room where Damon sat on the couch, head in his hands. He looked up when I walked in."Eve, thank god. I've been calling..."I walked past him toward the bedroom."Wait, please. Can we just talk for five minutes?"I kept walking."Eve, come on. You disappeared for an hour yesterday, now all day today..."I went into the bedroom, started changing out of my clothes.He appeared in the doorway."Where were you?"I pulled on sweatpants."I was worried, you turned off your phone..."I grabbed a t-shirt from the drawer."The least you could do is tell me you're alive...""I'm alive," I said.He looked almost relieved that I'd spoken. "Okay, good. Can we talk now?""About what?""About yesterday, about your birthday...""There's nothing to talk about.""There's everything to talk about, you're clearly upset...""I'm not upset.""Then what are you?"I pulled the shirt over my head. "Empty."The word landed between us
I woke up to light streaming through the windows.Damon was in bed next to me, still in his suit from last night. He must've come in sometime after I fell asleep. I got up without looking at him, went to the bathroom.My makeup from last night had left smudges under my eyes despite washing my face. I looked tired, and hollow.Twenty-five and spending my birthday alone while my husband took care of his ex-girlfriend.I stared at myself in the mirror until I didn't recognize the woman looking back. When I came out, Damon was awake."Hey," he said softly.I walked past him to the closet."Eve, can we talk?"I pulled out a blouse, pants. Started getting dressed."I know you're upset about last night..."I buttoned my shirt in silence."The hospital took forever, the wait time was insane and then they had to run tests..."I stepped into my pants, zipped them up."She was really scared, the cramps felt serious and I couldn't ju







