Eve slipped into her nightdress, the soft fabric a comfort against her skin. She reached for the small bottle of pills her doctor had prescribed. After taking her medicine, she crawled into bed, the cool sheets enveloping her and she closed her eyes, waiting for the morning to arrive.
The dawn broke, sunlight streaming through the curtains in the lavish bedroom she occupied alone.
Eve opened her eyes to an empty space beside her—a familiar sight that tugged at her heartstrings. With a sigh, she pushed the covers away and got up, ready to face the new day.
After freshening up, she made her way to the dining room, for her breakfast.
The table was set with fine china, silver cutlery, and an array of delicious dishes, yet the silence echoed around her. The servants greeted her warmly, their smiles genuine.
"Good morning, Ms. Windsor," the head servant said, pouring fresh orange juice into her glass. "I hope you sleep well?" His name was Edmund Carrington.
"Thank you, I did," Eve replied, forcing a smile before taking her seat at the long dining table. She felt like a queen at her own banquet, yet the throne was cold and empty.
Eve picked at her luxurious breakfast, and opened her iPad, ready to catch up on the day's news and her schedule.
The first headline that caught her eye was a photo of her and Nathan from last night, captured at the restaurant, their smiles wide and vibrant. It was tagged with hashtags like #PerfectCoupleGoals and #GoingStrongFor3Years, boasting millions of likes.
She couldn't help but feel a pang of resentment at the facade they had maintained for the world.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Edmund said, pointing at the picture. "Such a lovely couple!"
"Yes, it is," Eve replied, her voice lacking the enthusiasm she tried to project. She quickly swiped away the post, pushing aside her spiraling thoughts about Nathan and Juliet.
The video call from her manager came through, breaking her moment of silence. She quickly answered, adjusting her posture to project confidence.
"Morning, Eve! Hope you're ready for an exciting day!" Greg, her manager greeted, his voice energetic.
"Good morning! I'm all set," Eve replied, pouring a bit more enthusiasm into her tone. "What's on the agenda today?"
"First things first, you have a client meeting at 10 AM at your office. Don't forget to prepare the presentation for them. They're really looking forward to working with you," Greg reminded her, his voice steady and reassuring.
"Got it. I'll be there on time," Eve said, mentally noting the importance of the meeting. "What else?"
"Well, after that, you have the photoshoot for the new skincare line at 1 PM, followed by a lunch meeting with the board at 3 PM. They're excited to hear your insights on the upcomig charity event as well," he continued, his voice filled with professionalism.
"Sounds good. I'll make sure to prep everything," she responded, her heart swelling with purpose.
This was the life Eve had carved out for herself, built on her passion for fashion and beauty, and she refused to let her personal struggles overshadow her professional achievements.
"Also, congratulations on being listed as one of the Top 10 Influential Women in Leadership by Forbes! That's a huge accomplishment!" Greg added, and she could almost hear the smile in his voice.
"Thank you! It's surreal," Eve admitted, a sense of pride washing over her. The acknowledgment was a validation of her hard work and dedication. Despite the chaos of her personal life, she had forged a successful career.
With her manager detailing the final preparations for her day, Eve had a busy day ahead, an endless stream of meetings and projects. It kept her occupied, sparing her from the crippling thoughts that threatened to engulf her.
After hanging up, she took a deep breath and glanced at the photo of Nathan again. His captivating smile, the way his eyes sparkled with charm—how she wished that smile was for her and not for someone else.
Edmund approached to clear her empty plates, she seized the moment. "Has Nathan already left for the office?"
He looked up, his expression respectful yet attentive. "Yes, Ms. Windsor. Mr. Hathorne left quite early this morning, around 6 AM," he replied, continuing to gather the dishes.
Her heart sank. "Did... did he go alone?" she asked, trying to keep her voice casual, though the anxiety bubbled beneath the surface.
Edmund hesitated for a moment, "Actually, he left with Ms. Juliet," he admitted, his tone careful. "They departed without having breakfast."
"Of course," Eve muttered, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "So, they'll have breakfast together in his office, then?"
"Yes, ma'am. That's the plan," he confirmed, trying to remain neutral.
Eve felt a sharp pang of jealousy but masked it with indifference. "Thank you for letting me know," she said, her voice softening slightly. "I appreciate it."
Edmund nodded respectfully, "If there's anything else you need, just let me know," he said before retreating to the kitchen.
Eve leaned back in her chair, her heart heavy. The image of Nathan and Juliet together flooded her mind, but she quickly shook her head, trying to dispel the thoughts.She had her own life to focus on, her own achievements to celebrate.
~~~~~
Eve slid into the plush leather seats of her sleek car and pulled out of the driveway.
She activated the hands-free option on her phone. The screen lit up with her mother's face, radiating joy as they connected over video call.
"Eve, sweetheart! Look at you!" Victoria exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with pride. "You're all dressed up. You look beautiful!"
"Thanks, Mom," Eve replied, a genuine smile breaking through her earlier gloom. "I just wanted to share some good news with you!"
"What is it?" Victoria leaned in, curiosity etched on her features.
"I made the list of the top 10 influential women in leadership by Forbes!" Eve declared, her heart swelling with pride.
"Oh, honey, that's amazing! I am so proud of you!" Victoria exclaimed, her voice booming with excitement. "You've worked so hard for this."
"Thank you, mom! I couldn't have done it without your support," Eve said, her heart warm with gratitude, but a shadow of guilt crossed her mind. She hesitated for a moment, the weight of her recent miscarriage pressing down on her thoughts.
Victoria's voice broke through her silence. "So, how was your anniversary dinner? Did you and Nathan have a nice evening?"
Her smile faltered slightly. "It was... good," she replied, carefully choosing her words. "We had dinner at that new five-star restaurant downtown."
"Oh, how lovely!" her mother beamed. "You must tell us all about it when you come over for dinner tomorrow."
Eve's heart raced. "Tomorrow?"
"Yes! We'd love to have you both for a little get-together at our mansion. Just family and good food," Victoria said, her tone inviting.
A wave of relief washed over Eve. "That sounds wonderful! I'll make sure Nathan and I will be there."
"And don't forget to bring the champagne! It's a celebration!" Victoria added, her excitement palpable.
"Of course! I'll arrange everything," Eve replied, forcing herself to maintain the light tone.
But the thought of mentioning her miscarriage twisted her insides. How could she bring that up? Her mother was so happy, so proud of her achievements; Eve didn't want to taint her joy with her sorrow.
"Eve?" her mother's voice pulled her back to the moment. "Are you okay? You seem a bit... off."
"I'm fine, really," she reassured, plastering on a smile. "Just a busy day ahead, you know how it is."
"Take care of yourself, darling," Victoria said, her voice softening. "I love you."
"I love you too," Eve replied, her heart aching with unshed tears as the call ended.