The Past Had Returned

"Madam, are you sure about the decoration?" the maids asked in a worried voice as Eve did not reply to them thrice.

She looked a little absent-minded. Her mind was still occupied by the news that her sister had returned after three long years of absence. Suddenly a strong sound of something falling took her attention and she looked to her left to see the maids had slipped the new vase she had brought.

Only then did she return to the present. Yes! Her husband had asked her to organize a party for her sister's return. Welcome home party, but this was not her sister's home. It should be organized by their parents.

But when she asked them to do so, they all looked at her as if she was a witch. As if she was upset that her sister was alive. Eve sucked in a deep breath to relax her nerves, hoping the bile would stay in her stomach instead of knocking on her throat.

It had been two weeks since she was sick. And she did not have her periods. She had a feeling that it was… but she was still waiting for the report. If it was a child, her life would return to normal.

But what if he was angry? A voice in her back warned her. Cedric had always been adamant about using condoms in their three marriages. Even when her mother-in-law pressed her or her family to demand an heir, he refused to listen to them and did not allow her to tell the trust.

Many have accused her of being barren. And she never had a reply. But now she had done,

"Madam, the party is tomorrow. Are you sure about the menu or should I ask the master too?" another maid came with a panicked look on her face. 

They all were so worried because it was hard to please Cedric. He could find mistakes in everything and in the eyes of the staff, Cedric was not too close to his wife. They hardly talk and spend time with each other.

The only place where they fit perfectly was the office. Where Eve had handled most of his work as the secretary of Graystone World. Where her sister was working before she… Eve closed her eyes and let go of a breath.

"Show me the menu again, I will go and confirm with him personally." the chef could not look more relieved. She passed the menu to Eve and returned to her kitchen.

Eve stared at the menu. She had added all the favorite dishes of Cedric. There was no way that he would not like it. She just needed to clean her mind. So many things had made it blur.

Once this party would end and her sister would return to their parent's house, she would request Cedric to join her for a hospital visit. They would confirm her pregnancy and then everything would be better.

Yes, everything would be better. The thought brought a smile to her face and she walked to his room.

It was rare for him to be at home. But he had decided to work from home for next week. It was because her family was visiting. But her family had visited before too. He had never worked from home in the past. Her stomach churned at the thought again.

It had been years, there was no way that he would still love his sister. If that had been true, they would not have been doing it every night or sometimes twice a day. Although he was a bit cold to her, it must be because he had a lot of work pressure. 

He had never met another woman or fought with her. He let her manage everything. And though she did not get along with his family, he had never pressured her to spend time with him. All he told her was to be considerate. And last night… It was so intense. She felt like she would break apart. 

She blushed at those thoughts. It had been years since they had shared a bed yet she blushed every time she thought about it.

She knocked on the door but did not wait for him to reply as she opened the door. Cedric was standing on the balcony. His cold eyes were staring at the distance and his face looked grim.

He turned to look at her and she waved the menu. He nodded and whispered a few more words before coming to greet her.

"I am a bit busy, can you cut it short?" It had been years since hearing this reply, so she did not mind it. 

"Yes, I only wanted to confirm the menu and other details with you, but if you are busy. I can handle it myself.'' She smiled warmly to bring some color to his cold face but it failed miserably.

His eyes flickered and she felt the room become colder.

"There is no need. You can put the details on the table. I will check everything myself after I return from this meeting." he announced and he leaned to retrieve his coat when her brows furrowed.

"But Cedric, I do not remember any scheduled meeting this afternoon." he paused and she instinctively shrunk back. Regretting that she had forgotten, he did not like it.

"Do you think you know everything, Evangeline? Or do I need permission from you now?" He closed his eyes and took a deep breath when her face crumpled.

He patted her head and only then did she let go of her breath.

"Be good and stay here. I will come soon and then we will discuss the party details. Okay?" she nodded this time and watched him leave. Just then her eyes fell on his cell phone. She picked it up and ran behind him when the screen lit and her eyes instinctively went on the screen.

It was a beautiful picture that resembled her completely but she knew it was not her.. The name flashed on the scene taunting her.

"Sweetheart."