The sun had barely begun its descent, casting a soft, golden hue over the bustling courtyard of the orphanage. The annual charity event for Polaris Construction Enterprises had drawn in a crowd of eager children, staff, and media members, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the power couple, Grayson Westwood and Evelyn Harrington. The couple had spent the afternoon handing out toys, books, and clothes to the children, their smiles bright and genuine as they interacted with the young faces who looked up to them with admiration.
Evelyn couldn’t help but feel the weight of the moment, the sight of so many innocent children pulling at her heartstrings. It was supposed to be a joyful occasion, one that spoke volumes about the good their company was doing in the community, but there was a cloud of tension hanging over her. She had been fighting the storm inside her ever since her consultation with Dr. Richardson.
Grayson, as always, was effortlessly charming, greeting the children with the kind of warmth and charisma that made him a natural in the public eye. Evelyn, on the other hand, had been struggling to mask the tumultuous emotions churning inside her. When one of the nuns approached them, holding a tiny infant in her arms, the press shifted their focus.
"Would you mind holding the baby for a quick photo op?" the reporter asked, his camera ready, eager for the perfect shot of the philanthropic couple.
Evelyn froze.
The nuns smiled, gently urging her to take the baby, but her legs felt heavy, as though the weight of the moment was pulling her down. She tried to smile, but her face betrayed her. The thought of holding the baby, knowing the truth about her own body, made her heart ache in a way that was almost unbearable. She can’t have children, the words echoed in her mind, a constant reminder of the impossibility of her dream.
Her gaze flickered toward Grayson, whose eyes softened when he noticed her hesitation. Grayson had always been attuned to her feelings, sensing the shifts in her demeanor long before she said a word. His brow furrowed slightly as he stepped closer to her, his voice low and calm.
"Hey," he whispered, his hand gently brushing hers. "You don’t have to do this if you’re not ready."
The nuns, unaware of the turmoil Evelyn was feeling, continued to smile, their hopeful expressions further compounding Evelyn’s discomfort. Grayson saw the pain in her eyes, the way her fingers clenched into fists at her side. He didn’t want to make her feel pressured, not in front of the cameras, not when he knew how much she was silently battling.
With a reassuring smile, Grayson reached for the baby, lifting the tiny bundle into his arms. "I’ve got this," he said, his voice steady and confident.
The nuns beamed, their faces lighting up as they saw the perfect photo opportunity before them. The camera shutters clicked in rapid succession as Grayson held the baby, his stance strong and poised, while Evelyn stood beside him, a little distant, her smile still strained but grateful for his understanding.
The press had their shot, but Evelyn’s mind was far from the picture-perfect moment unfolding before her. She watched Grayson, her heart heavy with the realization of what she could never give him—children of their own.
The photo session concluded soon after, and as the crowd began to disperse, Grayson leaned in close to Evelyn, his voice soft but filled with concern.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his fingers brushing against the back of her hand.
Evelyn nodded quickly, not trusting herself to speak without her emotions spilling over. She offered him a forced smile, trying to push the knot in her throat down.
"I’m fine," she replied, her voice a little too bright, a little too rehearsed.
Grayson didn’t believe her. He didn’t need to hear the words to know something was off. But for now, he knew it wasn’t the right time to press her. Instead, he simply wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her gently into his side as they walked away from the cameras and into a quieter corner of the orphanage.
"Let’s just get through this day, okay?" Grayson said, his thumb tracing small, soothing circles on her arm. "We’ll talk later. When you’re ready."
Evelyn clung to him, grateful for his understanding, but still feeling that insurmountable weight on her heart. The life she had imagined with him—one filled with laughter, love, and children—seemed so far out of reach now...
As the photographers snapped their final shots, Grayson held the baby close, his attention shifting between Evelyn and the press. He could feel the weight of the moment hanging between them, but for now, he was content to let her have the space she needed....
=================================
A few moments have passed.
The drive back home was quiet, the hum of the engine filling the silence as the city slowly receded behind them. The golden light of the evening seemed to fade with every passing mile, and Grayson couldn't help but glance over at Evelyn, who sat quietly beside him. She had been quiet since the charity event, her usual upbeat energy replaced by a palpable stillness. He could feel the weight of her silence, the unspoken words that lingered in the air between them.
Grayson glanced at her again, noticing how she was staring out the window, her fingers gently tracing the edge of her seat as if lost in thought. The drive had been long, and her exhaustion was evident in the slump of her shoulders and the way her eyes seemed distant. He could sense that something wasn’t quite right, but he didn’t want to press her. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more beneath the surface.
"Evelyn," he began, his voice gentle but laced with concern. "Is everything okay? You’ve been awfully quiet since we left the orphanage."
Evelyn didn't look at him at first, keeping her gaze fixed on the passing streetlights. She let out a small, tired sigh before speaking, her voice soft but steady.
"It’s nothing, Grayson," she said, her tone a little too neutral, as though she were trying to convince herself more than him. "I’m just really tired. I think I just need a long rest at home, that’s all. It’s been a long day, you know?"
Grayson nodded, his grip tightening ever so slightly on the steering wheel. He didn’t press her further, but he could feel the sadness lingering in her voice, the weight of her words. He wanted to do more, to help her, but he knew that sometimes, the best thing he could offer was space, time, and patience.
"You don’t have to explain anything to me, Eve," Grayson said, his voice soothing, but sincere. "If you need rest, I get it. We’ll get home, and you can relax. I’m here for you, whatever you need."
Evelyn glanced over at him then, her eyes soft, though still clouded with unspoken emotions. She offered him a small smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes, but he knew it was her way of showing gratitude, even if she couldn’t put it into words just yet.
"Thank you," she whispered, leaning back against the seat. "I just need to be alone for a little while, that’s all."
Grayson said nothing more, not wanting to intrude on her space. Instead, he simply let the quiet fill the car, his focus on the road ahead, guiding them home. The headlights of passing cars flashed across his face, casting fleeting shadows as the distance between them and the world outside grew. Evelyn’s soft breathing in the seat next to him was the only sound that kept him grounded.
The city seemed to fall away as they approached their home, the familiar streets leading them back to the sanctuary that awaited them. Grayson’s heart ached for her, but he knew that when she was ready, she would share what was on her mind. Until then, he would be there, silently supporting her, ready to listen whenever she needed him.
As they pulled into the driveway, Grayson slowed the car to a stop, glancing over at Evelyn. "We’re home," he said quietly.
Evelyn didn’t respond right away. She simply nodded, unbuckling her seatbelt and opening the door. As she stepped out, Grayson followed, walking around the car to her side. He reached out for her hand, gently pulling her toward him as they made their way inside.
"Just rest, Eve," he said softly. "I’ll take care of everything else."
She nodded, her eyes meeting his with a quiet thankfulness that he could feel without words. As they entered the house, Grayson gave her the space she needed, guiding her to the bedroom where she could rest and recharge. He knew that, for now, all he could do was be there, waiting for the day when she would open up to him fully.