Evelyn was awake.
Sleep wouldn't come.
She sat up, her excitement palpable.
She reached for her phone on the bedside table.
Should she tell Alexander right now?
She bit her lip, hesitating.
Then she decided not to.
Alexander was traveling for business.
He was completely focused on his work.
Asking him to return on such short notice was impossible.
Besides, this was just a suspicion.
It wasn't confirmed.
She remembered the last false alarm.
It had ended in disappointment for everyone.
This time, she would be sure first.
She resolved to go to the hospital for confirmation.
Only then would she surprise Alexander when he returned.
The plan solidified in her mind.
A fresh wave of excitement bubbled up inside her.
She took a deep, calming breath.
Her hand drifted unconsciously to her stomach.
"Let this be true," she whispered hopefully.
A hopeful smile touched her lips.
She quickly opened the calendar on her phone.
Saturday was only two days away.
It was the perfect day for her appointment.
Satisfied, Evelyn put her phone down.
She settled back into bed.
She closed her eyes, her mind alive with anticipation.
Slowly, sleep finally claimed her.
The night passed without dreams.
The next morning, Evelyn woke up feeling refreshed.
She arrived at work on time.
Her thoughts were already leaping ahead to Saturday.
The possibility of confirmation filled her with quiet joy.
Evelyn was deeply engrossed in her designs.
A soft knock at her office door broke her concentration.
"Evelyn," a colleague said.
Her expression was full of gossipy intrigue.
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"You have a visitor."
Evelyn started to ask who it was.
But the woman leaned in closer first.
"It's Amelia Sterling," she murmured conspiratorially.
"She says she's here to discuss a design."
The news took Evelyn by surprise.
Amelia Sterling wanted a design from her?
The Sterling family had access to the world's top designers.
Yet Amelia had come here personally.
Uncertainty flickered within Evelyn.
She composed herself quickly.
"Has Miss Sterling been shown to the meeting room?" Evelyn asked.
"She has," the colleague confirmed with a quick nod.
"Alright. I'll go see her now."
Evelyn swiftly organized the papers on her desk.
She picked up her notebook and pen.
She walked down the hall toward the meeting room.
Evelyn stepped through the doorway.
Her eyes immediately found Amelia.
She was perched elegantly on the central sofa.
Her tailored designer suit was impeccable.
Her flawless hairstyle and overall appearance screamed old money.
It was the refined demeanor of the powerful Sterling family.
Hearing the door click, Amelia gently set her cup down.
She turned her head gracefully.
She looked at Evelyn but did not rise.
"Evelyn," she said, her voice cool. "It's been quite some time."
Evelyn gave a small, polite nod as she approached.
"Miss Sterling."
Just as Evelyn moved to sit, Amelia's voice cut through the air.
It held a casual authority.
"Evelyn, don't sit just yet."
Evelyn stopped mid-motion.
She stood poised, her expression serene as she met Amelia's gaze.
"Is there something else you need first, Miss Sterling?" Evelyn asked.
Amelia gestured negligently toward the abandoned coffee cup.
Her lips curled in mild distaste.
"I sampled the coffee here," she said. "I found it disappointingly ordinary."
She looked directly at Evelyn.
"Perhaps you could make a quick trip to my favorite café instead?"