Chapter2: When Will She Be Back?
Savannah playfully stuck her tongue out at Caleb. Evelyn misunderstood. I’ll go explain.”
Caleb remained impassive, his gaze falling on the half–eaten slice of birthday cake. His brow furrowed slightly. With Caleb’s words, a collective sigh of relief swept through the room. Evelyn storming off? No big deal.
“She’s just upset, someone chimed in.“Caleb, remember to smooth things over when you get home.”
eah, she’s not really going to divorce you. Everyone knows Evelyn almost died giving birth to the kids, another guy added.
“Maybe she regretted it when she walked out the door!” someone joked. “Alright, let’s eat cake! By the time Caleb gets home, Evelyn will be waiting for him like a lovesick puppy!”
Caleb’s expression softened. He could practically imagine Evelyn, timid and apologetic, waiting at the front door, eager to make amends.
Tommy happily devoured the cake Savannah had brought, the creamy sweetness coating his tongue. His tongue went numb, but he didn’t care. It was so great that his mom couldn’t control him anymore..
The birthday party was over. Caleb sat in his car, eyes closed, the shifting shadows of the streetlights playing across his face.
“Daddy! I’m itchy!” Tommy’s whimper pierced the quiet.
Caleb opened his eyes, switching on the overhead light. Tommy’s face was flushed, his tiny hands. frantically scratching at his skin, his breathing ragged. Caleb gently pried Tommy’s hands away, revealing a rash spreading across his neck. Tommy was having an allergic reaction. Caleb’s expression didn’t change. He pulled out his phone and called Evelyn. The call went through, but before he could speak, he heard a recorded message: The number you have dialed is off, please redial later.
A surge of anger coursed through him. His son was having a serious allergic reaction, and Evelyn just… vanished?
Caleb instructed the driver, Faster. Head home!”
He held Tommy close, his heart pounding.
They pulled into the driveway of their sprawling mansion. He glanced instinctively towards the front door, expecting to see Evelyn waiting, as she always did. However, it was empty. Their housekeeper, Davis, rushed over. Noticing Tommy’s distress, she asked, “What happened to Mr. Tommy?”
“Allergic reaction.” Caleb’s answer was curt.
“What? But Mrs. Reed’s been careful about what he eats.” Davis was bewildered. “Where’s Evelyn?” Caleb didn’t pause, carrying Tommy into the living room. “Mrs. Reed and Miss Lily are staying at her parents‘ house tonight, she replied. A cold fury settled over Caleb’s face. Evelyn, is that what you want? Do you think the house can’t function without you?
led When Will She the Black?
“Where’s the allergy medicine? His voice was flat, yet his tone oppressive.
her.
“I don’t know,” Davis blurted out. She immediately regretted it as Caleb’s icy gaze fell upon She shrunk back, explaining in a hushed tone, Mrs. Reed keeps the medicine cabinet locked up.” It was a long story, starting with a previous incident when the twins had gotten into the medicine. cabinet and almost consumed a bottle of vitamins. Evelyn had lost her temper with Davis, who then told Caleb’s mother about this. Evelyn got scolded and, ever since, had refused to allow anyone else access to the medicine cabinet.
An hour later, the private doctor gave Tommy an injection, and the rash subsided. Tommy lay
lessly in his bed, tears welling in his eyes. Caleb stood rigidly beside him, an aura of coldness. surrounding him. Tommy instinctively huddled under his covers.
“Daddy, don’t tell Sav I had an allergy, and don’t blame her. It’s Mommy’s fault. She didn’t let me drink milk, and if I had had more milk, I wouldn’t be allergic.”
His plea went unanswered. Once the doctor confirmed Tommy was stable, Caleb turned and left. Normally, Evelyn was the one to tend to Tommy’s every need, but the Reeds had a dedicated. medical team, and the situation was easily handled.
Caleb relaxed, returning to his room. Since Evelyn’s pregnancy, they’d slept separately. His room held no trace of her presence. To Caleb and Tommy, Evelyn was entirely dispensable.
The next morning.
Caleb woke at his usual time. He reached for his glass on the nightstand, finding it empty. In the past, Evelyn would get up before him and leave a glass of water here. Displeasure crossed Caleb’s
face.
Stepping out of his room, he heard Tommy fussing in the nursery. The boy hated getting up early and Evelyn was usually the one who coaxed him out of bed.
Finally, Davis managed to coax Tommy into the bathroom. He climbed onto the step stool. “Why didn’t you put toothpaste on my toothbrush?” he questioned as he grabbed his toothbrush. He picked up his cup, his face souring. There’s no water!”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Tommy!” Davis rushed forward, squeezing toothpaste onto his brush and filling his cup.
“That’s not my toothpaste!” Tommy complained, pointing to the bright blue gel. “Sorry!” Davis felt a headache. “Usually Mrs. Reed would take care of everything.”
When Caleb saw the plain breakfast, he frowned.“Make me some Scotch eggs,” he said casually.
“What?” Davis was taken aback.
“I want that too!” Tommy echoed.
Davis, her forehead slick with sweat, grabbed her phone. “I’ll call Mrs. Reed and ask her how to make those eggs.”
Evelyn was jolted awake by her ringing phone. She’d turned off her 5 am alarm. In a daze, she
answered.
“Mrs. Reed, Mr. Reed and Mr. Tommy want Scotch eggs, and I don’t know how to make them.” Rubbing her tired eyes, Evelyn sighed. “I’ll send you the recipe.”
Davis stared blankly at the recipe Evelyn sent her. It involved boiling eggs, peeling them,
ן.
herz: When Wa She Be Back?
wrapping them in seasoned sausage meat, breadcrumbing them, and deep–frying them until golden brown. Evelyn even specified the times – five minutes for Caleb’s runny yolk eggs, three minutes of frying; eight minutes for Tommy’s fully cooked eggs, four minutes of frying.
“Mrs. Reed, when will you be back?” Davis asked, overwhelmed by the complex preparation. She knew this was a job only Evelyn could handle.
“I’m not going back,” Evelyn’s voice was flat.“If you need anything, don’t come to me. I’m sending you all my notes on how to run this household.”
“No, please don’t! Davis‘ desperate plea
plea was cut off as Evelyn hung up. velyn glanced at the clock, rolled over, and cuddled her daughter, drifting back to sleep. Davis returned to the dining room, her face a picture of distress.“Mr. Reed, I’m sorry, but those Scotch eggs are too complicated to make. I can’t do it.”
“Did
you
reach her?” Caleb’s voice was cold.
“Yes, Mrs. Reed sent me the recipe, but…”
“Did she say when she’s coming home?”
