Chapter 210
Evelyn
Sunlight filtered through the small gap between the curtains, landing softly on my face. I squeezed my eyes shut, determined not to wake up, but it only lasted a moment before I gave in. Panic shot through every one of my veins as I opened my eyes and saw the empty space beside me.
Sitting up hurriedly, I scanned the room.
Did he not come home last night?
I slipped on my slippers, ready to search for him, when a realization stopped me in my tracks. I'd fallen asleep on the sofa, waiting for him. Yet here I was, waking up in bed. The memory hit me then-his strong arms carrying me to bed, his warmth enveloping me as he held me close.
I stepped out of the bedroom, my ears catching the soft clatter of utensils. Following the sounds to the kitchen, I found him there, cooking breakfast.
A sigh of relief escaped me at the sight. He stood at the stove, relaxed and focused, as if the weight of our troubles didn't exist. As if we didn't have a situation to handle. As if we both weren't walking on thin ice.
I wished he didn't make things harder because, for me, it was already tough enough.
I walked up behind him and gently wrapped my arms around his waist, pressing my face against his back. Another sigh slipped past my lips as I held him tightly.
He was here. Solid. Real.
That was all that mattered.
"Good morning," he murmured, his voice warm and steady, as he flipped the bacon sizzling in the pan.
"Good morning," I whispered, letting the peace of the moment wash over me as I rested my cheek against him.
He turned off the stove and faced me, "How are you feeling?"
"Better," I said, a small smile curling my lips. For once, there was no anger or worry in his gaze-just calm. It was enough to soothe the turmoil in my heart. "You know," I added playfully, "seeing you like this makes me feel like I've won the lottery."
because I can fry bacon without setting
I teased, "and because you
extra slice," he said, brushing a strand of messy hair from my face
pouted, tightening my arms around him. "I think
his head to study me with an amused glint in his eyes. "Done. But you
laughed, leaning up to kiss his cheek. "So,
walk by the lake. After that..." He reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair
my chest. Maybe we'd
leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead. "With
the question I'd been suppressing tumbling out before
low and sincere. shouldirt have spoken to you the way I did. I acted too harshly when you didn't deserve that." His thumb brushed against my side. "I'm sorry, baby. I'm so sorry if I hurt you with my
his admission, a warmth spreading through me. He
Finally, he understood.
face. "It's okay. You didn't
before the relief could fully settle, his next
arguing, I should have sat you down and talked us through this calmly. Shouting never leads to solutions. And that's on me. We
mean?" My voice trembled, fear
hands tightened around
me to him.
gentle, but his words
"What I mean, baby, is that it's not the right time for us to have a child. Neither of us is ready forthat
ground beneath me seemed to shift. I tried to pull away, but he held me
to me, Evie
right time?" I interrupted, my voice sharp with frustration. My hopes, which had burned so brightly moments ago, began to dim.
for. You might think you're ready now, but you'll regret it later. You'll look back at
me like
Vel
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