Chapter 84: Going Away

Evelyn entered the living room, her hand instinctively resting on her baby bump. She felt a mix of excitement and nerves, knowing that she was seeing Eloise after a long time. The last time they met, her pregnancy had not yet been revealed.

Eloise looked up from arranging a tray of tea and biscuits on the coffee table.

Her eyes widened in surprise and then softened with delight as she noticed Evelyn’s baby bump.

“Evelyn! Oh my goodness, you’re pregnant!”

Eloise exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine joy.

Evelyn nodded, a shy smile spreading across her face.

“Yes, I am. It’s still a bit surreal.”

Eloise hurried over, enveloping Evelyn in a warm embrace. As they pulled apart, Eloise gently placed her hands on Evelyn’s bump, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

“I’m so thrilled for you! How far along are you?”

“ three months this month ”

Evelyn replied, feeling a wave of warmth and gratitude wash over her.

Eloise guided Evelyn to the sofa, where they both sat down. Eloise poured them each a cup of tea, her movements graceful and calm.

“Being a mother is such a beautiful journey,”

Eloise began, her voice soft and full of emotion.

“It changes you in ways you can’t even imagine.”

Evelyn listened intently, her heart opening up as Eloise shared her experiences of motherhood. They talked about the challenges and joys, the sleepless nights and the precious moments that made it all worthwhile.

Eloise recounted funny anecdotes about her own children, making Evelyn laugh and feel a sense of camaraderie.

“You’ll have days where you feel completely overwhelmed,”

Eloise said, her eyes meeting Evelyn’s.

“But those moments when your baby looks at you with pure love, they make everything worth it.”

Evelyn nodded, feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes.

“I’ve been so anxious about whether I’ll be a good mother.”

Eloise reached out, taking Evelyn’s hand in hers.

“You already are, Evelyn. The fact that you care so much shows how much love you have to give. Trust yourself, and remember you’re not alone. We’re all here for you.”

Evelyn’s heart swelled with emotion. The conversation with Eloise was exactly what she needed. She felt understood, supported, and more confident about the journey ahead. Eloise’s wisdom and warmth had touched her deeply.

As they finished their tea, Evelyn realized how much lighter she felt. She looked at Eloise with gratitude.

“Thank you, Eloise. This means a lot to me.”

Eloise smiled, her eyes twinkling with affection.

“Anytime, Evelyn. I’m so happy for you. You’re going to be an amazing mom.”

“ its twins “

This was another shock for Eloise as her eyes widened in pure love. Evelyn chuckled at Eloise’s reaction.

“ oh my god ! “

“ do you know their gender ? “

Eloise asked to which Evelyn shook her head , smiling widely.

“ no. I wanted to keep it a surprise even for myself “

“ that’s why your bump has starting growing faster. When i was pregnant for the first time , i couldn’t see my bump for five months “

As their conversation about motherhood wound down, Eloise’s expression grew more serious.

She glanced around, as if ensuring no one else was in earshot, and then leaned in closer to Evelyn.

“Evelyn, there’s something else I need to tell you,”

Eloise began, her voice dropping to a whisper.

“It’s about Dominic.”

Evelyn’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Dominic. She hadn’t heard much about him recently, and the subject still brought a mix of pain and confusion.

She didn’t want to hear anything about it but curiosity grew more and she wanted to head a word about him.

“What about Dominic?”

Evelyn asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her curiosity and anxiety piqued.

Eloise took a deep breath, clearly struggling with how to proceed.

“He’s… well, he called me a week before. No one seems to know where he is or what happened to him. It’s just he—”

Before Eloise could finish her sentence, the door to the living room creaked open. Evelyn’s father entered the room, his presence commanding immediate attention.

He had a stern look on his face, as though he had overheard enough to know the conversation needed to stop.

“Eloise,”

he said firmly, his gaze flicking between the two women.

“I need to speak with you for a moment.”

Eloise quickly composed herself, a polite smile masking her concern.

“Of course,”

she replied, standing up from the sofa. She turned to Evelyn, her smile warm but her eyes filled with unspoken words.

“I should be going now. Take care, Evelyn, and remember what we talked about.”

Evelyn watched Eloise leave, her mind racing with unfinished thoughts about Dominic. The sudden interruption left her feeling unsettled. What did Eloise mean by Dominic calling? Why hadn’t anyone told her this before? What did Dominic say to her ?

“ wait, Eloise “

Something rushed inside her mind as she called out for Eloise. Evelyn stood up and walked closer to her.

“ I don’t want anyone to know about my pregnancy “

Eloise nodded her head and smiled warmly last time before walking out.

As the door closed behind Eloise, Evelyn’s father turned his attention to her.

“Are you alright, Evelyn?”

he asked, his tone softer now.

Evelyn nodded, though her thoughts were far from settled.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

He gave her a scrutinizing look before nodding and leaving the room, closing the door behind him.

Evelyn was left alone with her thoughts, the earlier warmth of her conversation with Eloise now overshadowed by the mysterious and troubling news about Dominic.what if he found out about her babies and come to take them after born. What if he don’t want them anymore-

Evelyn sat alone on the sofa, her mind racing with thoughts of Dominic and her uncertain future. She needed to escape, to clear her mind.

Just then, her brother walked into the room, his expression softening when he saw her distress.

“Evelyn, what’s going on?”

he asked, concern evident in his voice as he approached her.

Without thinking, Evelyn reached out and grabbed his hand, her grip tight.

“I want to leave this country,” she said, her voice trembling but determined.

Her brother’s eyes widened in shock.

“What? Why? You can’t just—”

Before he could finish, the rest of the family, alerted by the tension in the room, started to gather. Her father, mother, and other family members entered, their faces a mix of confusion and concern.

“Evelyn, what’s this all about?”

her father demanded, his voice firm but laced with worry.

Evelyn took a deep breath, her eyes glistening with tears.

“I need to get away, to clear my mind. Everything here reminds me of Dominic and… I just need some space.”

Her mother stepped forward, her face pale and stricken.

“No, Evelyn, you can’t just leave. We need you here, especially now with the baby on the way.”

Tears streamed down Evelyn’s cheeks.

“I know, Mom, but I can’t stay here right now. It’s too much. Please understand.”

The room fell silent as everyone processed her words. Her mother began to cry, shaking her head.

“I can’t bear to be separated from you, not now.”

Evelyn’s father looked between his daughter and his wife, his face a mask of internal conflict. Finally, he spoke, his voice steady.

“If this is what you need to clear your mind, then I won’t stop you.”

Evelyn’s mother gasped, her tears flowing freely.

“No, she can’t go alone. It’s too dangerous.”

Her father nodded.

“She won’t go alone. Her brother will accompany her.”

Evelyn’s brother looked surprised but nodded in agreement, squeezing Evelyn’s hand reassuringly.

“I’ll go with you, Ev. We’ll do this together.”

Evelyn looked at her family, her heart heavy but grateful for their understanding. She knew this wasn’t easy for any of them, but she felt a sense of relief knowing she had their support.

“ thank you , Ethan “

She embraced her brother who kissed her forehead in love.

“ ill always be here for you “