The house needs a deep clean every year. It’s the same with emotions. A clean house feels brighter. Sorting out your feelings makes life lighter. So clearing your mind is just as important.
Evelyn finished making dinner. She went to the room where the two kids were drawing. “Evan, go upstairs and tell your father dinner is ready,” she said. “Okay!” Evan replied. He ran upstairs to get his dad.
Alexander came down with his eldest son. They all sat down to eat. Alexander kept putting food on Evelyn’s plate. Evan copied his father. He stood up and put vegetables on his mother’s plate. Evelyn was stunned for a moment. She smiled. “Evan, what are you doing?” Evan looked up at her. He gave her a sweet smile. It was exactly like Alexander’s. Evelyn’s smile grew wider. Like father, like son. Evan was at the age where he copied everything he saw. “Looks like I won’t have to worry about my son finding a wife,” Alexander said proudly. He touched Evan’s head. Evan leaned over and kissed his father on the cheek. The oil from his mouth smeared all over Alexander’s face. Evelyn covered her mouth, laughing silently. Then she turned her head. She saw her younger son scooping rice from his bowl onto the floor and the table. He was completely focused on his spoon. He didn’t care about them at all. Evelyn sighed. She couldn’t laugh anymore. She had to clean up again.
After dinner, Evelyn cleared the dishes. Alexander helped her wash them. They talked and laughed in the kitchen. Lily Thompson had resigned. The new nanny was still in training. So they did everything themselves. Working together made the chores less boring. A man and a woman sharing the load. They were a perfect match. Evelyn took good care of the family. She planned everything at home and abroad. She got along well with her mother-in-law, her sisters-in-law, and her second sister. The family was harmonious. Alexander had no worries at home. Alexander, Ethan, and Audrey all worked at Sterling Group headquarters or its subsidiaries. They did their jobs well. The company grew steadily.
Mrs. Sterling’s greatest pride was finding the perfect daughter-in-law for her youngest son. But every time she talked to Alexander about having another daughter, he refused. He didn’t want Evelyn to get pregnant again. So Alexander always took precautions.
Evelyn was lying on the sofa, feeling sick. Her phone rang. It was her sister, Victoria. “Do you want to come home for dinner tonight? A friend airlifted some seafood. It’s very fresh.” As soon as Evelyn heard the word “seafood,” her stomach churned. She rushed to the bathroom and retched. After a while, she realized she was still holding the phone. The call was still connected. “Hello?” “Evelyn, what’s wrong with you?” Victoria asked, alarmed. “I think I ate something bad,” Evelyn lied. “You’re not pregnant again, are you?” Evelyn froze. Her sister’s words hit her like a thunderbolt. Well, actually, she thought she might be pregnant again. But she didn’t want to face it yet. “I haven’t seen a doctor yet. I’m not sure.” “Just take a pregnancy test.” “I haven’t been pregnant for years. I don’t have one at home.” “You’re hopeless. Should I send one over?” “No, I’ll go out and buy one later. Thanks. I won’t come back for a couple of days.” “Okay. If you are pregnant, you can’t eat seafood. Call me and let me know.” “I will,” Evelyn said. Then she asked, “Sister, when are you and your brother-in-law going to have a baby?” “I don’t want one yet. I want to play for a few more years.” “If you wait any longer, you’ll be an old woman.” “When did you get as naggy as Mom?” Victoria rolled her eyes. “I think if you want a baby, you should have one sooner. It’s better for you and the child. If you don’t want one and want to be a DINK couple, that’s a different story,” Evelyn said with a smile. “I think you just want to drag me into the same boat.” “No way!” Evelyn laughed. She was careful. Her sister had found her out.
After chatting for a while, Evelyn hung up. She washed her face and walked out of the bathroom. She was still worried about whether she was pregnant. So she told the nanny to watch the kids. Then she went out to buy a pregnancy test. She had to confirm this time. She needed to prepare Alexander before she told him. Otherwise, he would be shocked. He might even faint when he heard the news.
Murphy’s Law finally struck again. Evelyn stared at the pregnancy test stick. It showed positive. Her face fell. What you fear most will come to you.