Chapter Two — Daddy

Evelyn POV

Mom and I talked for almost fifteen minutes.

I never mentioned the pregnancy but I wanted to tell her more than anything. She would have screamed in excitement. Dad would have probably opened a bottle of wine before remembering I could no longer drink. They had been waiting for this news almost as eagerly as I had.

But I wanted Damian to know first. For once, I wanted him to be the first person I shared my happiness with.

"I have been thinking about you lately," Mom said.

"You always think about me."

"That is because you are my little girl."

I smiled. Even after getting married three years ago, my parents never treated me differently. Sometimes I wondered if they noticed the loneliness I carefully hid every time they visited. I never complained about Damian. How could I? He never shouted at me, never insulted me, never raised a hand against me. He simply never loved me. Somehow, that hurt even more.

"Are you still there?" Mom asked.

"Yes."

"You sound tired."

"Yeah, I had a checkup today." I said.

She immediately became concerned. "Are you alright?"

I glanced at the small wooden box resting beside me on the passenger seat. "I am fine. Just a little exhausted."

"If you need anything, your father and I can fly over."

I laughed softly. "You would spoil me."

"That is our job."

Tears stung my eyes as I’m reminded of how much I missed the warmth of my parents. "I love you, Mom."

"We love you too."

After ending the call, I remained in the car for another minute. I looked toward the mansion. Three years ago, I had entered those gates believing I could build a home. Today, I was carrying the greatest news of my life through those same doors. Maybe tonight would finally change everything.

I picked up the little wooden box and slipped it into my handbag before walking inside.

Anthea, our housekeeper, smiled the moment she saw me. "Welcome home, Ma'am."

"Thank you."

She reached for my bag. "You look happy today."

Was it that obvious? I could not stop smiling. "I had a good day."

"I’m glad." She said smiling too.

I glanced around the large living room. The house was as quiet as always. "Has Damian come home yet?"

She shook her head. "No, Ma'am. Sir called to say he would be late."

Disappointment settled inside me. "I see."

"I will prepare dinner." She said heading for kitchen, but I stopped her.

"No." I smiled. "I will cook tonight."

Her eyes widened. "You?"

I laughed. "Is it really that shocking?"

"It is just... you rarely cook because Sir usually works late."

That was exactly why tonight felt different. Maybe if I cooked his favorite meal, we would actually eat together. Maybe I would place the little wooden box beside his plate and maybe everything would finally fall into place.

"I will help you," Anthea offered.

"Thank you."

For the next hour, we worked together in the kitchen. I prepared grilled salmon with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. It was Damian's favorite. I could not remember the last time he had actually eaten dinner at home, but hope made people do foolish things. Every few minutes, my hand drifted toward my stomach. I was six weeks along. There was a tiny heartbeat inside me, a tiny miracle growing inside me. I wondered if the baby could somehow feel how happy I was.

When dinner was finished, I carried the wooden box upstairs and hid it inside my bedside drawer. I wanted it to be perfect. Then I changed into a cream-colored dress Damian once casually mentioned looked nice on me. It had been over a year ago. He probably didn’t even remember saying it. But I did remember it. I remembered every compliment he had ever given me because there were so few.

As evening settled outside, I checked my phone again. There was no message, no missed calls, nothing. The excitement slowly began turning into nervousness. What if he was not happy? What if he simply nodded and congratulated me like this was another business achievement? No, I could not think like that. This baby deserved optimism.

A sudden ringing sound interrupted my thoughts. It was Anthea calling from downstairs.

"Ma'am?"

"Yes?"

"Sir just called."

My heart skipped. "He is on his way home."

A smile spread across my face. "I will come down."

"There is something else."

"What is it?"

"He asked that everyone in the house gather in the living room before he arrives."

I frowned. "Everyone?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

That was strange. Damian disliked unnecessary gatherings. He usually informed only the person concerned. "What did he say it was about?"

"He did not tell me."

Curiosity settled beside my excitement. Maybe he had good news too. Maybe he had finally closed that important overseas deal he had been working on. Or maybe he had somehow found out about the pregnancy and wanted to surprise me instead. I laughed at the impossible thought. No, that could not be it. Only the doctor and I knew.

I took one last look at myself in the mirror. "You can do this." I rested both hands over my stomach. "I think Daddy is finally coming home."

My smile widened. Then I walked downstairs.

The atmosphere immediately felt unusual. Every member of the household stood neatly lined up. The butler, maids, gardeners and even the security staff had gathered inside. They all looked equally confused. I took my usual seat on the sofa.

"Does anyone know what is going on?" I asked quietly.

Everyone shook their heads. The grandfather clock ticked loudly. Each passing second made my heart race faster.

Finally, headlights appeared through the front windows. "Sir is here," someone whispered.

I instinctively touched my handbag. Inside was the drawer key. Upstairs waited the little wooden box. In just a few minutes, Damian would know he was going to become a father.

The front door opened. Every staff member bowed respectfully. "Welcome home, Sir."

I smiled and turned toward the entrance. The words froze in my throat.

Damian was not alone. He stood in the doorway carrying a little boy in his arms. Beside him was a beautiful young woman with soft brown hair. She looked comfortable standing next to my husband. She looked far too comfortable.

Confusion flooded my mind. Who were they?

Before I could ask, the little boy wrapped his tiny arms around Damian's neck and smiled brightly.

"Daddy."

The single word shattered every dream I had been carrying home.

My fingers tightened around my handbag.