Chapter 1: A Dinner To Remember

Sophia stood in the kitchen, her heart racing because she's so excited even though she can't control her anxieties.

"Hmm...did I still forget something?" She glanced at the clock, its hands ticking slowly, taunting her with each passing second.

Today was supposed to be special—the day she shared her pregnancy news with Julian, the man she loved. She envisioned the evening as a celebration. She already thinks that it can be a moment that would draw them closer together, to reignite the spark that had dimmed in their marriage over the past few months.

The aroma of roasted chicken filled the air, mingling with the sweet scent of her homemade lemon rosemary sauce. The vibrant colors of the sautéed vegetables—bright bell peppers, green zucchini, and rich purple eggplant—decorated the plate, creating a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach.

"For sure, he'll like it!"

Sophia placed the final touches on the table, folding the linen napkins into delicate shapes and lighting the candles. She had even set out their favorite wine, hoping to toast to their future as a family.

As she set the table, she rehearsed her words in her mind.

“Julian, I have something amazing to share with you.” She smiled at the thought, imagining the way his eyes would light up with joy. But as she arranged the cutlery, doubt began to creep in.

What if he didn’t react the way she hoped? What if he dismissed her news, just like he had dismissed so many of her efforts recently?

Shaking off the anxiety, she took a deep breath and reminded herself that this was a fresh start—a new chapter in their lives. This baby could bring them together, heal the rifts that had formed between them.

Just then, the sound of the front door opening broke her reverie. Sophia’s heart leaped as she heard Julian’s familiar footsteps. She wiped her hands on a dish towel and stepped into the living room.

“Hey, honey! You’re home!” she called, her voice is full of enthusiasm.

Julian walked in, his tie loosened and his shirt sleeves rolled up, but the excitement she had hoped to see was absent from his expression. He glanced around the room, taking in the beautifully set table and the enticing aroma wafting through the air.

“Wow, it smells good in here,” he said, his tone flat. He dropped his briefcase by the door and wandered over to the dining table, barely acknowledging the effort she had put into the meal.

“Thank you! I wanted to make tonight special.” Sophia’s voice was tinged with nervousness.

“I have something really important to tell you, honey..."

“Yeah?” Julian replied, his eyes drifting to his phone as it buzzed incessantly. He swiped at the screen, his focus elsewhere.

Sophia’s heart sank as she watched him scrolling, feeling the excitement drain from her.

“Julian, I’m pregnant!” she finally blurted out, her voice rising because of joy.

He looked up from his phone, a flicker of surprise crossing his face, but it quickly faded into a blank expression.

“Oh. That’s… something,” he replied, his voice sounds like he's not surprised or more on disappointment.

Something in her chest crumbled at his indifference. She had imagined him jumping up, wrapping her in his arms, showering her with kisses and joy. Instead, he stood there, unmoved, his eyes returning to his phone screen.

Sophia forced a smile, her heart aching.

“I thought we could celebrate. I made your favorite—roast chicken and all the trimmings.” She gestured toward the table, trying to regain the moment.

“Yeah, looks good,” he said, shrugging slightly, not even glancing at the food.

The weight of his dismissal hung heavily in the air. Sophia felt her hope for a joyful celebration crumble. She turned her gaze to the table, the flickering candles now feeling more like a spotlight on her failure.

“Do you want to eat now?” she asked, attempting to keep her voice steady.

“Yeah, sure.” Julian moved to take a seat, but his phone buzzed again. He picked it up, his attention drawn back to the screen.

Sophia swallowed hard, a lump forming in her throat.

“Julian,” she started, it's desperation that's creeping into her voice.

“Can we just—can we focus on each other for one night?”

He finally looked up, annoyance was now evidence in his eyes.

“I’m just checking something,” he said dismissively, as if her request was an inconvenience.

Disappointment washed over her, threatening to drown her spirit. She nodded, forcing a smile as she served him a plate.

“I hope you like it.”

He barely acknowledged her as he began to eat, his focus once again on his phone. Sophia fought back tears, her heart heavy with the realization that this moment—the moment she had dreamed of—was slipping away from her.

After a few moments of silence, Sophia cleared her throat, trying to regain some semblance of connection.

“So, how was your day?” she asked, desperate to bridge the widening gap between them.

“Busy. You know how it is,” he replied, still scrolling through his messages, his voice lacking the warmth it once held.

Sophia sighed, feeling a painful emptiness settle in the pit of her stomach. This was not how it was supposed to be. She had wanted to share her joy, her excitement, and instead, she felt like she was talking to a wall.

As the minutes dragged on, she busied herself in the kitchen, trying to mask her hurt. She put away the food and rinsed the dishes, but her heart was not in it. She could hear Julian still tapping away on his phone, the sounds echoing through the silence of the room.

Finally, she took a deep breath and decided to step outside for some fresh air. She needed a moment to collect herself, to breathe away the disappointment that threatened to consume her. She stepped out onto the balcony, the cool evening air brushing against her skin.

Leaning against the railing, she stared into the distance, the city lights twinkling like stars. Her heart ached, not just for the disconnect she felt with Julian, but for the hope she had pinned on this evening.

Then, a soft sound from inside caught her attention. It was Julian’s voice, low and muffled. She turned slightly, straining to hear. He was on the phone, and although she didn’t mean to eavesdrop, curiosity gripped her.

“Yeah, I’ll be there in a bit,” he said, his tone casual.

“No, I can’t talk right now; I’m with Sophia… Yeah, she doesn’t know.”

Her heart sank as dread washed over her. What did he mean she didn’t know? Who was he talking to?