Evelyn stood on the balcony, watering the potted plants, one hand resting gently on her gently rounded
belly.
“Babe, try this,” Ryan called from the kitchen, peeking out in an apron, a ladle in his hand. “I made corn and pork rib soup–first time trying it!”
She laughed and walked over, taking a sip from the spoon he held up. “Mmm, that’s good.”
Ryan raised an eyebrow proudly. “Of course it is. I followed Mom’s recipe to the letter.”
Just then, her phone buzzed–a message from Claire:
[Evelyn, I heard Brandon sold the company. He left for Switzerland.]
Evelyn’s fingers paused over the screen.
“What’s wrong?” Ryan leaned in to glance, then gently squeezed her shoulder in understanding.
That night, a soft rain began to fall.
Evelyn sat up in bed flipping through her design sketches, but her mind kept drifting.
Ryan came out of the shower, hair damp, and leaned into the curve of her neck. “Penny for your thoughts?”
She didn’t answer.
He turned off the bedside lamp and wrapped his arms around her. “I heard… before he left, he had Vanessa committed. Even sold the Caldwell estate.”
Raindrops tapped against the windowpane. Evelyn let out a quiet sigh.
Seeing the concern in his eyes, she smiled and reassured him, “I’m not sad. Just… thinking how strange life can be. A company that big, gone in a blink.”
Ryan watched her expression carefully. Only when he saw no trace of regret did he finally relax. “Want a break? I’ll make you some honey water.”
“That’d be nice.” She nodded, watching him head to the kitchenette, her eyes soft with quiet affection.
Outside, the sycamore leaves rustled in the breeze.
She remembered the first time she visited the Caldwell family’s mansion on a golden afternoon, much like
this one.
Brandon had held her hand back then, eyes full of dreams, promising to take her around the world.
Now he really had gone far away. Just… not with her.
Chapter 26
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Live Moments, Chamet
“Here,” Ryan came back with the cup, warm and just right.
Before bed, he massaged her swollen calves like always.
Leaning back into the pillows, Evelyn said suddenly, “You know… if none of that had happened, I probably
wouldn’t be who I am now.”
Ryan looked up at her.
“I mean,” she said, gently stroking her belly, “I might never have met you, or had this baby… or even
started my studio.”
He took her hand in his. “Do you regret it?”
“Not at all.” She smiled. “I love the life we have.”
“Sleep now,” Ryan kissed the top of her head. “We’ve got an early appointment tomorrow.”
After her checkup the next day, Evelyn ran into someone unexpected at the hospital–Mr. Lee, the Caldwells‘ longtime butler.
“Miss Evelyn,” the older man said shyly, his hands folded before him, “you look wonderful.”
She invited him to sit with her. “How have you been, Mr. Lee?”
“Doing alright, doing alright.” He fidgeted, then reached into his bag. “Young Master asked me to give this to you… before he left.”
It was a worn, brown envelope.
Inside was a sketchbook–her early design drafts from college, the ones she’d thought lost forever.
“He said, ‘Return it to its rightful owner.“”
She opened to the first page. Beneath the words she once wrote–For us, ten years from now–there was a new line, penned in a different hand:
“Sorry I couldn’t wait that long.”
The ink was slightly smudged, as if touched by water.
Mr. Lee hesitated, eyes dimming. “He… he’s not doing very well.”
Evelyn closed the sketchbook. “Mr. Lee, I’m happy now.”
The old man’s eyes reddened. “You deserve all the happiness in the world.”
“Sweetheart, you ready?” Ryan’s voice called from behind. “Mom says we’re having dinner at her place tonight.”
Chapter 26
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Live Moments, Chamet
Evelyn stood up, smiling as she said goodbye.
Outside, the sun filtered softly through the clouds.
Everything was just as it should be.
