Chapter 13- What Are You Doing Here?
1363 Words
Elizabeth
Six weeks had passed.
My baking business was no longer just an idea I talked about with Hayley. It was real now.
Orders were coming in faster than I expected. Thanks to Hayley sharing my work on her social media, my t****k had grown quickly. I’d already hired two part-timers, Nina and Adam, and on Monday I was opening a small storefront.
For the first time in my life, I was making my own money — enough that I hadn’t touched Daniel’s account in weeks.
It was Saturday afternoon. I was in the kitchen finishing the last batch of cupcakes for a kids’ birthday party when Hayley walked in and sat on one of the stools.
She watched me for a moment before speaking.
“I still can’t believe you waited six whole weeks to tell me you’re pregnant,” she said, her voice softer than usual. “I thought we were closer than that, Elizabeth.”
I looked up from the cupcakes, feeling a little guilty. “I’m sorry. I needed time to process everything myself first.”
Hayley reached over and took one of the cookies from the tray. “Well, I am obsessed. I already have a list of designers for the nursery. So… I’m really going to be an aunt? Or godmother?” She tried to smile, but I could see she was still a little hurt. “I haven’t decided which title I want yet.”
I gave her a small smile. “You can be both if you want.”
She was quiet for a few seconds, then asked gently, “Did you think I would try to convince you to get rid of it?”
“No,” I said honestly. “I already knew I was keeping the baby. That was never a question for me.”
Hayley nodded, looking relieved. Then her expression turned more serious.
“Does that husband of yours know? The one you are separated from?”
I paused. “Yes. He knows.”
“And how did he take it?”
I let out a long breath. “We’re not really on speaking terms right now.”
Hayley shook her head slowly. “Elizabeth… you need to start thinking about divorce. I can give you my lawyer’s contact. He’s really good. You don’t have to stay stuck in that situation forever.”
Before I could respond, she tilted her head. “What about Marcus? Does he know?”
I looked down at the cupcake I was decorating. “No. I’ve been avoiding him.”
“Why?”
I swallowed hard. “I don’t know how to tell him. I don’t want to break his heart… or mine. He’s been so good to me these past weeks. I don’t think he’d want to be with someone who’s carrying another man’s child.”
Hayley was quiet for a moment, then spoke gently.
“You should tell him anyway. Let him decide for himself. If he really likes you, the baby might not scare him away. But keeping it from him isn’t fair to either of you.”
I nodded slowly, even though the thought made my chest feel tight. “I know. I’ll tell him soon.”
Before the conversation could go any deeper, Nina and Adam walked into the kitchen.
“Everything’s almost packed in the van,” Adam said. “Just need the last batch of cupcakes.”
Hayley jumped off the stool. “I’ll help! I’m free today anyway.”
We spent the next twenty minutes loading everything into the van. I was grateful for the distraction. Daniel had left for a business trip yesterday, so the house had been unusually quiet.
As we drove to the birthday party, Hayley turned to me.
“So whose kid’s party is this?”
“Sophie’s. Her mom, Rachel, is a new friend. We met at the supermarket a few times. I helped her once and we started talking. I baked a small cake for her husband’s birthday last month. She liked it and booked me for Sophie’s party.”
Hayley smiled. “Look at you building your own thing. I’m really proud of you.”
When we finally arrived at the party, Rachel was already waiting by the gate. The moment she spotted us, her whole face lit up.
“Elizabeth!” She hurried over and pulled me into a warm hug. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
I smiled and gestured to Hayley. “Rachel, this is my friend Hayley. Hayley, this is Rachel.”
The two of them greeted each other nicely while Nina and Adam started unloading the van. I got straight to work arranging the cakes and cupcakes on the long table in the backyard. Everything had to look perfect.
A little while later, Rachel came over and gently took my arm. “Come inside for a second. You need to meet the birthday girl.”
She led me into the living room where little Sophie was playing. The five-year-old was wearing a fluffy pink dress and looked like a real princess.
“Sophie, this is Elizabeth,” Rachel said proudly. “She made all your cakes today.”
Sophie’s eyes widened. “They’re so pretty! Thank you!”
I smiled down at her. “Happy birthday, sweetheart. I hope you like everything.”
As more guests started arriving, the backyard became lively with kids running around and parents chatting.
Hayley got recognized pretty quickly. A few of the moms walked up to her, and soon she was standing in a small group, laughing and talking.
Rachel stayed by the dessert table with me. She picked up one of the sugar cookies, took a bite, and let out a little moan.
“Elizabeth, these are dangerous,” she said, shaking her head. “I’ve eaten three already. You’re too talented for your own good.”
I laughed softly. “I’m really glad you like them.”
We stood there talking for a while, watching Sophie play with her friends. Rachel kept checking her phone every few minutes.
“Sophie’s dad should be getting here soon,” she said. “He got stuck at work but he promised he’d make it for the cake.”
I nodded, only half listening. I was focused on fixing one of the cupcake towers when Rachel suddenly brightened.
“Oh! Here they come now.”
I turned around casually… and the world stopped.
Walking through the side gate right beside Rachel’s husband was Daniel.
My stomach dropped so hard I felt sick. My hands froze in mid-air.
No. This can’t be happening.
My heart started slamming against my ribs. He was supposed to be on a business trip. He wasn’t supposed to be back until tomorrow.
Daniel’s eyes found me almost instantly. The moment he saw me, his entire expression changed. His jaw clenched tight, and his body went completely still.
Rachel, still completely clueless, grabbed my arm with excitement. “Come, let me introduce you to my husband.”
I couldn’t move. My legs felt like they were made of stone. But Rachel was already gently pulling me forward.
“Fester, look who made all the desserts! This is Elizabeth, the friend I told you about.”
Fester smiled warmly. “Elizabeth! It’s great to finally meet you. My wife hasn’t stopped talking about your baking.”
I couldn’t even speak.
Daniel just stared at me, his eyes dark and unreadable. The tension coming off him was so thick I could barely breathe.
His voice came out low and sharp.
“What are you doing here?”
Rachel looked between us, her smile slowly fading. “Wait… do you two know each other?”
Fester let out a surprised chuckle. “Of course they do. That’s Daniel’s wife.”
Rachel’s eyes widened. She looked at me, then at Daniel, then back at me again.
“She’s… your wife?” she asked, clearly shocked. “Wow… what a small world.”
The silence that followed was painful.
I could feel everyone’s eyes on me, but the only thing I could focus on was Daniel’s hard stare burning into my skin.
- Writer
