All Chapters of Reclaiming Evelyn : Chapter 31 - Chapter 39

Chapter 31Evelyn’s POVThe first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was the dull ache spreading through my entire body, a reminder of the battle I had just fought. My limbs feel heavy, my head groggy, and every breath I take feels deliberate. Yet, amidst the physical exhaustion, a strange warmth settled in my chest. My baby was here too early, yes but here nonetheless.I shifted slightly, wincing at the discomfort. The room was dimly lit, the soft hum of machines filling the silence. My gaze fell to Claire, who sat beside my bed, her head resting on the edge of the mattress. Her even breathing told me she had fallen asleep. I smiled faintly. She must have been here the entire time, her loyalty unwavering.Slowly, I reached out and placed a hand on Claire’s shoulder. “Claire,” I whispered, my voice raspy.Her eyes fluttered open instantly, and she straightened, blinking rapidly as though trying to shake off her drowsiness. “Evelyn,” she breathed, relief flooding her expression. “You

Chapter 33THREE WEEKS LATEREvelyn’s POVThe morning light spilled into the room, warm and soft as it painted golden streaks across the walls. I sat by the window, Cecily cradled in my arms as she nursed. Her tiny fingers gripped my robe with surprising strength, her little face half-buried against me. Every small sound she made soft sighs and faint gulps was music to my ears.She is my world.I couldn’t stop marveling at her, detailing every little feature as though I needed to commit it all to memory: the curve of her nose, the gentle sweep of her eyelashes, the way her small fists curled so tightly. How could something so tiny hold such a massive part of my heart?“You’re beautiful,” I whispered, brushing a fingertip against her velvety cheek.A lump formed in my throat. I felt a strange mixture of joy and fear, the overwhelming love for her tangled with a quiet voice in the back of my mind, wondering if I’d ever truly be enough for her. But as Cecily squirmed and let out a soft s

Chapter 35: The Day of the JourneyEvelyn’s POVA sharp knock at the door jolted me awake, followed by Claire’s familiar voice. “Evelyn, it’s time to get ready. We don’t want to keep your dad waiting!”For a second, I blinked into the dim room, disoriented, until Cecily stirred in her crib beside me. Her soft whimper pulled me back to reality, and I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.“Coming!” I called back, my voice hoarse from sleep. I stood and reached for Cecily, who immediately settled the moment I held her close. She always did that found peace in my arms, as if she trusted me to make everything in her tiny world okay.Claire pushed the door open and stepped inside, a bright smile lighting up her face. “Good morning, sleepyhead. You’ve got quite the journey ahead of you.”I nodded, yawning as I swayed with Cecily in my arms. “I still can’t believe today is the day.”Claire walked over and ran a gentle hand over Cecily’s back. “You’ve been thr

Chapter 37The faint buzz of my alarm stirred me from sleep. I blinked against the soft morning light seeping through the curtains and turned to see Cecily sound asleep in her bassinet. Her tiny chest rose and fell in perfect rhythm, her face serene. She looked so peaceful, so completely unaware of the whirlwind of emotions her mother was battling.I sat up slowly, careful not to make any noise that might wake her, and reached for my phone. A message from Dad was waiting for me:Ready for your first day? Let’s talk.A small smile tugged at my lips. Even though I’d spent years navigating life without him, I couldn’t imagine getting through this moment without his guidance. I slipped out of bed, pulled on my robe, and tiptoed into the living room where my laptop was already set up.As soon as I opened the video call, Dad’s face appeared on the screen. He looked calm and reassuring, the way he always did, like the weight of the world couldn’t faze him.“Good morning, Dad,” I greeted, my

Chapter 39Carlos led me through the different sections of Karolinska, narrating everything with the energy of a tour guide who took his job way too seriously.“This right here,” he gestured dramatically to a modern, glass-walled building, “is the simulation lab. You know, where they make you sweat through high-pressure emergency scenarios that will have you questioning every life decision you’ve ever made.”I smirked. “Sounds promising.”“Oh, it is,” he said, tossing his hair back with a flourish. “They even have artificial intelligence programs for patient interactions. It’s both mind-blowing and mildly terrifying.”We moved through the central study hub, an architectural masterpiece with state-of-the-art learning spaces, voice-activated systems, and holographic medical models projected in mid-air.“Tell me,” Carlos leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “On a scale of one to completely shook, how overwhelmed are you?”I exhaled slowly, my gaze sweeping over the high-tech s