The soft clink of fine china and the gentle murmur of other diners filled the air as Grayson sat across from Evelyn at their favorite French restaurant. The candlelight flickered between them, casting a warm, intimate glow over the white tablecloth. The ambiance was perfect, the kind of setting where everything felt like it was meant to be—romantic, cozy, just the two of them.
Grayson had been looking forward to this dinner for days. He had even chosen the restaurant himself, hoping that it would be a special evening for them. They’d been engaged for months now, and in many ways, everything felt right. They had built a life together, filled with lavish events, exciting trips, and the kind of love most people only dreamed of. Yet, for some reason, tonight something felt... off.
As they clinked their glasses of wine, Grayson tried to shake the feeling of unease, though it settled in his chest like a heavy weight.
"So," he said casually, setting his glass down and glancing across at Evelyn, "I’ve been thinking a lot lately about... the future."
Evelyn raised an eyebrow, a soft, playful smile playing on her lips. "The future? You’re not talking about expanding your empire again, are you? We’ve got enough business on our plate already."
Grayson chuckled, but there was a certain seriousness in his tone. "No, nothing like that. I mean... more personal things. You know, us. Our family. Kids."
Evelyn paused mid-bite, a forkful of salmon hovering near her mouth. Her expression shifted ever so slightly—just enough for Grayson to catch it—and her eyes narrowed slightly, the playful smile fading into something more guarded.
"Kids?" she repeated, setting her fork down and taking a deep breath. "Grayson, we’ve talked about this before."
He hesitated for a moment before continuing, trying to keep his voice light, though his heart was pounding. "I know we’ve talked about it, but I think it’s time we really consider it. I mean, we’re getting married soon, and I can’t help but think about the kind of life we’ll have together. And... I just keep imagining how amazing it would be to have a child—our child."
Evelyn’s face tightened, and for a moment, she seemed lost in thought. Grayson waited for her to speak, unsure of what her response would be but hoping it was what he wanted to hear.
But when she spoke, her voice was firm, even colder than usual. "Grayson, I don’t think we should be having this conversation. Not now, not when we’re still trying to figure out everything else."
Grayson frowned, trying to keep his tone neutral. "What do you mean? We’ve been talking about the future for months, and we’re both in a place where we’re ready to take the next step. Having a family... it just feels like a natural progression."
Evelyn’s lips pressed into a tight line, and she leaned back slightly in her chair, crossing her arms. "I’m not ready for that kind of responsibility, Grayson. We have so much to focus on already—our careers, our lives. Adding a child into the mix... it’s too much. I’ve never wanted to be one of those women who just has a kid because it’s the thing you’re supposed to do. I don’t see it as part of our plan."
Grayson’s heart sank at her words. He had known that Evelyn wasn’t always the most maternal person, but hearing her so resolute, so certain in her refusal, stung more than he expected.
"Evelyn," he began softly, trying to find the right words, "I understand that it’s a big decision. But we’re going to be married, and I can’t help but think that starting a family is part of what’s supposed to come next. It’s not about ‘doing the right thing.’ It’s about us... together."
Evelyn looked down at her plate, her fingers tracing the rim of her wine glass. "Grayson, I don’t want to disappoint you, but this isn’t something I’m willing to compromise on. I love you, but the idea of being a mother... it’s not something I can just jump into. I have my own goals, my own ambitions. And I’m not going to put them aside for something I’m not ready for. Not now. Not ever."
The words hit Grayson like a cold wave, crashing into him and knocking the breath from his lungs. He had hoped, desperately, that when the time came, Evelyn would feel the same way he did. But now, sitting across from her, seeing the finality in her eyes, he felt a cold, empty void opening up between them.
"I didn’t realize this was something you felt so strongly about," Grayson said quietly, his voice tinged with disappointment. "I thought we were on the same page."
Evelyn’s expression softened just slightly, though the walls were still very much up. "We are on the same page, Grayson. We both want the best for each other. But I need you to understand that having a child is not the answer to everything. It’s not something that fits into our lives right now. And I’m not going to pretend that it’s something I’m ready for just because it’s what you want."
Grayson leaned back in his chair, feeling the weight of her words sinking into him. The dream he’d had of a life with Evelyn—one where they raised children together, built a family—seemed to be slipping further and further away.
"I just thought..." He trailed off, shaking his head slightly. "I just thought we’d be able to build that life together. But I guess I was wrong."
Evelyn’s gaze softened, but she still didn’t offer him the comfort he was hoping for. "Grayson, you’re not wrong for wanting that. But you need to understand where I’m coming from too. We’re different people, with different paths. And right now, I can’t see that path leading to a baby."
The tension between them hung in the air, heavy and palpable. Grayson stared at her, trying to process what she was saying, the reality of their differing dreams settling in his chest like lead.
He wanted to argue, to convince her that they could make it work, that they could find a balance. But deep down, he knew it wasn’t that simple. Not when her mind was made up.
Evelyn reached out across the table and placed a hand over his, a silent gesture of care. "I love you, Grayson," she said quietly, her voice softer now. "But this is something I’m not ready for. I need you to understand that."
Grayson nodded slowly, the weight of her words sinking in. "I understand," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I wish you did."
And with that, they both sat in silence, the rest of their dinner forgotten as the distance between them seemed to grow, one unspoken word at a time.