Alone

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.”
He chuckled, smirking. “What, because I can fry bacon without setting off the fire alarm?”
“That,” I teased, “and because you look good doing it.”
“Flattery will get you an extra slice,” he said, brushing a strand of messy hair from my face before pressing a kiss to my nose.
“Just one?” I pouted, tightening my arms around him. “I think I deserve at least two for being your taste tester today.”
He leaned back slightly, tilting his head to study me with an amused glint in his eyes. “Done. But you better pay me for this labor.”
“Not happening,” I laughed, leaning up to kiss his cheek. “So, Chef Adriano, what’s on the menu today?”
He turned back to plate the bacon but glanced over his shoulder, his eyes playful and warm. “Breakfast first, then maybe a walk by the lake. After that…” He reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “We just see where the day takes us.”
His words wrapped around me like a soft blanket, soothing the ache in my chest. Maybe we’d finally moved past the argument. “Sounds perfect,” I said, a small, hopeful smile tugging at my lips.
Jacob stepped closer and leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead. “With you, it always is,” he murmured.
As he pulled back, I caught his gaze, the question I’d been suppressing tumbling out before I could stop it. “Are you not mad at me anymore?”
His expression softened, though a flicker of guilt clouded his features. He sighed, sliding his arms around my waist and pulling me flush against him. “No, Evelyn,” he said, his voice low and sincere. “I shouldn’t 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 words.”
My heart fluttered at his admission, a warmth spreading through me.
He understood.
Finally, he understood.
“No,” I whispered, cupping his face. “It’s okay. You didn’t hurt me.”
But before the relief could fully settle, his next words shattered it.
“I should have handled the situation more maturely,” he continued, his tone heavy. “Instead of arguing, I should have sat you down and talked us through this calmly. Shouting never leads to solutions. And that’s on me. We could have easily come up with a solution if I had been calm.”
“What… what do you mean?” My voice trembled, fear creeping into my chest.
Jacob’s hands tightened around my waist, anchoring me to him. His voice was gentle, but his words cut deep. “What I mean, baby, is that it’s not the right time for us to have a child. Neither of us is ready for that even though you might think you are. You are only focusing on the sentiments whereas I am looking at the reality.”
The ground beneath me seemed to shift. I tried to pull away, but he held me firm.
“Listen to me, Evie-”
“Why do you think it’s not the right time?” I interrupted, my voice sharp with frustration. My hopes, which had burned so brightly moments ago, began to dim. “Why are you so focused on the negative? There are positives, too-why can’t you see that?”
“Evelyn,” he said softly, though his words carried a brutal edge. “I’m sorry, love, but there’s no positive in rushing into something neither of us is truly prepared for. You might think you’re ready now, but you’ll regret it later. You’ll look back at the life you didn’t get to live and try to fill that void.”
His words pierced through me like shards of glass.
“That’s what you think, Jacob!” I snapped, my voice trembling with anger. “I am ready for this baby. I want this baby, and I don’t care about this so-called ‘unlived life’ you keep talking about. I don’t need a grand life filled with endless adventures or a thousand vacations. I want a simple life-a husband, a child, a home. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. And even if I dream of adventures, I want them with my family-our family! But all I see right now is you-scared of the commitment, terrified this baby will ruin your precious plans. It’s like you’d rather sacrifice our child than your fucking idea of freedom!”
Jacob exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. “Evelyn, that’s not fair. You know that’s not true. I’m just trying to think about what’s best for us. We barely made it through something that almost tore us apart. Do you really think it’s wise to make a decision like this now?”
I let out a bitter laugh, disbelief washing over me. “You don’t get it, do you? Everything is right when you’re ready to fight for it. But the truth is, Jacob, you’re being selfish. You’re so caught up in your selfishness that you’re willing to kill this child-a part of us!”
His face tightened, exhaustion replacing his anger. “Evelyn, stop! That’s just flesh and blood right now. It’s not-”
“Not what, Jacob?” I cut him off, my voice breaking. “It’s not killing? Are you listening to yourself? You’re fucking sick! For me, it’s not just flesh and blood-it’s my baby! And whether you want it or not, I’m keeping it!”
I spun around before he could respond, storming off to the bedroom. His footsteps followed, but I slammed the door shut in his face. My chest heaved with anger, frustration, and a heartbreak so sharp it felt unbearable.
“Evelyn,” he called from the other side, his voice softer now. “Please, open the door. Let’s talk.”
“Go away!” I shouted, choking on the tears I was trying so hard to suppress. But I knew he could hear it in my voice-I was breaking. I hated how weak he made me feel, how pathetic I sounded when it came to him.
“Baby,” he pleaded, his tone cracking. “Please…”
For what felt like an eternity, he stood there, begging me to let him in. But I stayed silent, frozen in my pain. Eventually, his footsteps faded, leaving me alone.
Completely and utterly alone.
The sobs I’d held back came pouring out, raw and uncontrollable. I’d thought we’d face this fight together, that he’d stand by my side. But instead, he left me to bear it on my own.