[5] A Familiar Feeling

ELENA

The next morning, the Ashford mansion felt far livelier than usual.

Several maids moved back and forth through the dining room, placing dishes one after another onto the long table. The rich aroma of food filled the air, yet somehow it only made my stomach turn again.

I took a slow breath before finally sitting down with the others.

“So, you two finally made it,” Erika Ashford greeted warmly, her gaze shifting between Edward and me. As always, she looked perfectly elegant, wearing the kind of polished smile that always seemed pleasant on the surface. “Sit down. We’ve been waiting for you.”

I gave a small nod.

“Sorry for making everyone wait.”

My eyes instinctively found Cedric sitting at the far end of the table.

He wore a simple black shirt with the sleeves rolled neatly to his elbows. Compared to Edward and Brian Ashford—who already looked as though they were attending an important board meeting even during a family breakfast—Cedric appeared far more relaxed.

But the second our eyes almost met, I quickly looked away. I immediately pulled out the chair beside Edward and sat down without daring to glance anywhere else.

“How’s your mother doing?” Brian suddenly asked while folding the newspaper in his hands.

I flinched slightly before answering quietly, “She’s doing a little better. Thank you for asking, Father.”

“Good.” Brian gave a small nod. “Edward mentioned her medical expenses increased again this month.”

My fingers tightened instantly beneath the table.

“Yes,” I answered softly.

Thankfully, one of the maids arrived carrying drinks, cutting through the awkward atmosphere. But just as she was about to pour juice into my glass, her hand accidentally bumped the small spoon beside my plate, sending it clattering onto the floor.

“Oh no, I’m sorry, Madam—”

“It’s okay,” I interrupted quickly.

I instinctively bent down to pick it up myself, but at the exact same moment, someone else reached for it first.

Cedric.

“I’ll get it,” he said calmly.

I immediately pulled my hand back as though burned.

“No need.”

The response came out far too quickly. The entire table fell oddly quiet for a second. Slowly, Cedric lifted his gaze toward me. There was confusion in his eyes now, perhaps surprise too at my reaction.

Meanwhile, I hurriedly lowered my head.

“S-Sorry,” I mumbled softly. “You just startled me a little.”

“It’s fine.”

But somehow, I could still feel his gaze lingering on me for several seconds longer. And that only made me even more uncomfortable.

Soon, the dining room filled once again with the sounds of silverware and casual conversation. Erika spoke several times about social events she planned to attend next week, while Brian occasionally responded without fully taking his attention off the business newspaper beside his plate.

Meanwhile, I remained silent. Maybe because I was nervous. Or maybe because I was far too aware that Cedric was sitting at the same table as me right now. I barely touched my food.

“Elena, you’re not eating?” Erika suddenly asked.

I startled slightly.

“I’m just not very hungry, Mother.”

“You’ve looked pale ever since you came in,” Brian commented, glancing at me briefly.

Before I could answer, Edward suddenly set his glass down softly against the table.

“Father. Mother.”

His tone remained calm, yet it was enough to draw everyone’s attention immediately toward him.

“There’s something we want to tell you.”

My fingers instinctively tightened around the napkin on my lap. Erika smiled curiously.

“What is it?”

Edward glanced briefly toward me. His gaze flickered momentarily toward my stomach before returning to his parents.

“Elena is pregnant.”

Erika’s entire expression changed instantly.

“What? Really?”

For the first time that morning, Brian fully lowered his newspaper.

“You’re serious, Edward?”

Edward nodded calmly.

“We confirmed it last night.”

“My God…” Erika’s eyes immediately brightened as she looked at me. “Finally.”

She quickly rose from her chair and walked toward me.

“Oh, Elena, why didn’t you say anything sooner?” Her hand wrapped warmly around my arm. “This is wonderful news.”

I forced a small smile even as my chest tightened painfully. Erika kept looking at me, her expression noticeably softer than usual.

“From now on, you absolutely must take care of your health.” Her hand slowly moved to cover the back of mine. “And… forgive me for the things I once thought about you.”

Something inside my chest twisted uncomfortably at her words.

“Listen carefully, Elena,” she continued seriously. “You mustn’t stress yourself or exhaust yourself anymore. No matter what happens, that child has to be born healthy.”

I could only nod quietly because I didn’t know what else to say. At the far end of the table, Brian finally smiled faintly for the first time since I had known him.

“Good,” he said firmly. “The Ashford family finally has an heir.”

The words instantly made my stomach churn again. Without thinking, my eyes shifted toward Cedric. Unfortunately, he was already looking at me. Thankfully, Erika spoke again before the moment could stretch any longer.

“We really should celebrate this.” She looked far more excited now. “I’ve already started imagining a nursery in this house.”

“Isn’t that a little too soon?” I murmured unconsciously.

“There’s no such thing as too soon when it comes to an Ashford heir,” Brian replied calmly.

Then his attention shifted toward Cedric.

“At this rate, it seems you’ll have to postpone your trip back to Europe, Cedric. At least until your nephew is born.”

Cedric didn’t answer immediately. He only gave a small smile.

“That can be arranged, Father.”

Not long after, the maids returned with more dishes. The rich smell of butter and roasted meat immediately filled the air. And instantly, my stomach twisted violently again.

“Elena?” Cedric glanced at me briefly. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.”

My answer came too quickly. I hurriedly reached for the glass of water beside me, but my fingers trembled slightly around it. Even the smell of the food on the table suddenly felt overwhelming.

“You’re getting paler,” Erika commented worriedly.

“Probably morning sickness,” Edward answered flatly before I could speak. “That’s normal.”

I lowered my head slightly, forcing myself to remain calm. But seconds later, the smell of roasted meat hit me again, stronger this time. The nausea surged too quickly. I immediately covered my mouth reflexively. My chair scraped backward as I hurried to my feet.

“Excuse me…” My voice caught weakly. “I need to use the restroom for a moment.”

Without waiting for anyone’s response, I quickly left the dining room as fast as I could. My footsteps echoed too loudly through the massive hallway. I pressed a hand tightly over my mouth until I finally reached the guest bathroom near the sitting room. I shut the door quickly behind me before bending over the sink.

The nausea finally overwhelmed me completely. Once it passed, I flushed the toilet and rinsed my mouth with water. Breathing slowly, I grabbed a tissue beside the sink and dried my lips.

For some reason, Cedric’s presence today only seemed to make my nausea worse.

I quickly shoved the thought away before my mind could spiral further. After making sure my face looked at least slightly better, I slowly opened the bathroom door. And instantly froze. Cedric was standing right outside.

“Are you… okay?”

I nodded quickly, instinctively stepping sideways to keep a safe distance between us.

“Were you going to use the restroom? Go ahead,” I said awkwardly.

I hurriedly lowered my head and tried to walk past him. But after only one step, Cedric’s voice stopped me again.

“Elena.”

I froze instinctively.

“There’s actually something I want to ask you.”

Slowly, my fingers curled into fists at my sides. Then little by little, I turned back around.

Cedric was still standing exactly where he had been before. But this time, there was something different in his eyes. Something more serious. As though a thought had been haunting him for a long time.

“What is it?” I asked quietly.

He remained silent for a few seconds before finally speaking.

“About a month ago…” His eyes never left mine. “Did you ever go to Riverside Hotel?”