Evan opened his eyes, a rare look of confusion clouding them.
Sophia pulled him up. "Are you planning to tell me about what they talked about today?"
She sat in front of Evan in high school and never knew he had such a past. Feeling surprised was one thing, but she was also a bit jealous.
Her impression of Evan back then was all about studying—a typical bookworm. And yet, this bookworm had fought for a girl!
Sophia was somewhat envious of that girl.
Evan's eyes gradually focused.
He lay back down, resting one hand under his head, and looked at Sophia for a moment. "I've liked you for ten years. Haven't you ever wondered when it started?"
Sophia shook her head. "No, I can't figure it out."
She hated math and didn't want to calculate something so troublesome.
Evan chuckled softly. "Think back ten years. Were you in high school or college then?"
"Of course, I was in high school, and it was… Wait!" Sophia stopped talking, staring at him as if trying to see through him.
Evan didn't interrupt her, just let her watch.
After a long while, Sophia finally moved.
She pounced on him, pinning him down, and said fiercely, "Tell me, was that girl me?"
"You already know. Why ask?"
Sophia: "..."
She never imagined Evan had liked her since high school and even fought someone for her.
Wait...
"Why did you fight Leo?"
If she remembered correctly, those two had nothing in common.
It was indeed puzzling that two people with no interaction would fight.
Evan beckoned her closer. Sophia gave him a look but still leaned in.
Evan whispered something in her ear, and Sophia was speechless.
"So, someone said I was like a pig in a poke trying to court a peacock, and you fought him?"
"Yes." Evan rubbed his throbbing temples. "You weren't the pig; Leonard was."
Sophia didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Seeing his tired expression, she tucked him in, turned off the light, and got into bed.
As soon as she lay down, he pulled her into his arms.
Sophia held his hand. "Stop fooling around and get some rest."
Evan didn't say anything, his steady breathing soon indicating he was asleep.
Now, Sophia found herself unable to sleep.
Sometimes, destiny is a strange thing. The person who will walk through life with you might be right by your side all along.
In the darkness, she studied the man before her, illuminated by the faint light outside.
Thick eyebrows, deep eyes, a strong nose, and full, sensual lips—perfect for kissing.
She kissed him lightly and whispered, "Good night," before drifting off.
That night, Sophia dreamt a lot about her high school days, especially memories involving the boy who sat behind her.
……
The next morning, she was awakened by the sound of movement.
Seeing Evan already dressed, she was surprised. "You're leaving for work so soon?"
"Yes, I have to attend an academic conference."
Sophia grumbled, "Your workplace doesn’t give you any wedding leave?"
Evan smiled. "Once this conference is over, I'll have half a month off for our honeymoon."
"How long will you be gone?"
"A week."
"..."
"I'll make it up to you when I get back, okay?"
What could Sophia say? She forced a smile and waved him off.
With Evan away, she didn't want to stay home alone, so she asked her company to shift her leave to align with his.
The first day he was gone, Sophia felt restless and had auditory hallucinations, thinking she heard Evan calling her or forgetting he wasn't home. She felt a bit crazy.
By the second and third days, it got better, but she noticed a loss of appetite. Foods she usually enjoyed now tasted bland.
She sighed silently.
Habits can be deadly. She had grown so used to Evan that she couldn’t eat or sleep properly without him.
Despite their nightly video calls, she still felt it wasn’t enough.
On the sixth night, Evan called to say he'd be home the next morning.
That evening, Sophia happily cooked chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy.
But just as it finished cooking, a wave of nausea hit her. She rushed to the bathroom and vomited.
When she looked at the dish she just made again, she lost her appetite completely.
She sent Evan a message and went to bed early.
The next morning, as Evan walked out of the station, he saw Sophia beaming at him from a distance.
His heart leapt, and he hurried to her, but his joy turned to concern when he saw her pale face.
"Why do you look so pale?"
Sophia touched her face, her smile unwavering. "I haven't had much of an appetite lately. It'll pass."
As a doctor, Evan wasn't convinced.
Frowning, he pulled her into an embrace and started walking. "I'm taking you to the hospital for a check-up."
"No need, really. It's just a minor issue."
Despite Sophia’s reassurances of her health, Evan firmly took her to the hospital.
They first went to the gastroenterology department. The doctor, after examining her, suggested an abdominal ultrasound.
Evan glanced at the doctor, deep in thought.
After a moment, he thanked the doctor and led Sophia to the imaging department.
As they left, the doctor turned to his assistant. "Learn from Dr. Hunter. Newly married, and they already have a child on the way."
The assistant was puzzled. "But isn’t Mrs. Hunter having stomach issues?"
"That depends on what’s causing the discomfort."
The assistant quickly understood.
Meanwhile, Sophia soon emerged from the ultrasound room, blushing, holding the results.
"Evan, I think we hit the jackpot."
Evan had suspected as much when the doctor suggested the ultrasound. Seeing her expression confirmed it.
Not one to show his emotions, he simply said, "Let's go home."
On the way back, Sophia felt anxious.
Evan’s calm demeanor didn’t match that of a soon-to-be father, and she sensed that he was a bit unhappy.?
At home, Evan unpacked, made her a bowl of spaghetti, and then left again.
Sophia stared at the spaghetti, feeling no appetite.
She was convinced that Evan wasn’t happy about their child.
Still, no matter his feelings, she wouldn’t let him do anything to their child.
Just as she was contemplating how to deal with Evan, Mrs. Lancaster called.
Before Sophia could speak, her mother’s excited voice came through the phone. "Sophia, are you really pregnant?"
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