Get Me Some Water!

Evelyn returned to Serenity Oaks after her workday.

She felt a surge of accomplishment. The design project for Beatrice Sterling was finally complete.

To celebrate, she decided to cook dinner herself.

She waved off the staff's offers to help. Rolling up her sleeves, she entered the kitchen.

Alexander arrived home earlier than expected.

The first thing he saw was Evelyn moving purposefully around the kitchen.

The soft kitchen lighting haloed her figure as she worked.

He paused, simply watching her. A strange calm settled over him.

For years, he had accepted a life of solitude.

But now, Evelyn was here. Her presence transformed the house. It felt like a home.

A faint smile touched his lips as he wheeled closer.

"Need any help?" he asked.

Evelyn turned, her face lighting up with surprise. "You're home!"

"I had a feeling something good was waiting for me," Alexander said with a low chuckle.

Evelyn's cheeks warmed. "It's nothing fancy. Just a simple dinner."

"I'm sure it will be perfect," he replied. His eyes fell on the unprepared vegetables. "Let me handle those."

Evelyn hesitated only a moment before nodding. "Alright. You can chop. Just try to keep the pieces even."

"Consider it done."

A comfortable silence fell as they worked side-by-side.

Evelyn felt no unease. Instead, a profound sense of peace filled her.

Perhaps, without realizing it, she had already grown accustomed to having Alexander near.

Soon, four dishes were ready.

It wasn't an extravagant spread, but it was ample for the two of them.

Sitting across from Alexander, Evelyn felt a spark of pride. She ladled soup into his bowl. "I tasted it. It's seasoned well. Try it."

Alexander took a spoonful. He nodded. "It's delicious."

His compliment made her beam. She quickly forked a piece of steak onto his plate.

"Try this next. I followed the recipe precisely. It shouldn't be too oily."

Alexander sampled the steak. "Excellent," he praised warmly.

Evelyn's smile widened. She added a portion of omelet to his plate.

"This is my first attempt at this one. No recipe. But it looks okay. It should be fine."

Alexander tasted the omelet. As expected, he said, "It's very good."

With each compliment, Evelyn's confidence swelled. "Really? Maybe I'm a natural! Charlotte always said I was hopeless in the kitchen..."

As she spoke, she took a bite of the omelet herself, curious to see if it was truly as good as he claimed.

The moment the food touched her tongue, her expression contorted. She struggled to swallow it.

"Water! Please, I need water!" Evelyn gasped, urgently signaling a servant.

A staff member hurried over with a glass. "Here you are, Mrs. Blackwood."

Evelyn grabbed the glass and drank deeply.

Everyone nearby stared, bewildered. What had just happened?