His Secret Baby…or Someone Else’s

Eden’s POV You’d think the day you get promoted to the headquarters of a luxury hotel group as a lead pastry chef would be one of the best days of your life. I honestly thought so too I remember the days I had danced barefoot on my kitchen floor with flour still on my hands, the times my heart skipped a beat as I waited for the cake to bake in the oven. I was moving up. I was finally being seen. All those late nights, burnt fingertips, and missed parties… they had meant something. At least, I thought they had That morning, I’d arrived early at the hotel’s headquarters, my white uniform neatly ironed and my hair tightly knotted under my cap. Everything had to be perfect. Tonight was the biggest event the hotel chain had ever thrown. Celebrities, top executives, shareholders, and the media were going to be present. It was a celebration of the company’s milestones. And I was in charge of the desserts. Nineteen types of pastries, two sugar showpieces, and one enormous croquembouche towering like a proud, golden tree in the center of the buffet. I had barely eaten or slept but I was buzzing. I wanted my husband, Julian to be proud. He didn’t know I was promoted. I had tried telling him initially but he had been busy so I decided to make it a surprise. A chance for our relationship that has been rocking to work. I had hoped that this win would be a step to talking things out and rebuilding our relationship. I even saved him a plate of his favorite chocolate peanut butter macarons as he was returning from his trip today. But the moment I stepped into the ballroom to admire the final setup, my heart stopped. Right across the room, standing under a shining chandelier, was Julian, and he wasn’t alone. “Why didn’t he call me and let me know he was back?” I thought. Julian, my husband of three years, always looking confident, was dressed in the sharp navy suit I bought him for our anniversary. I watched as Julian placed his hand on a woman’s back. She looked tall and elegant, a brunette in a red silk dress. Her hand grazed his chest like it belonged there. I stared at the two of them laughing and before I could make sense of it, he leaned down and kissed her. Shit, it wasn’t a kiss on the cheek, not even a casual brush. He actually kissed her, a real kiss. I stood frozen, barely breathing. The scent of spun sugar suddenly made me sick. My heart pounded against my ribs like it was trying to escape. No. That couldn’t be him. Not Julian. I walked toward them, my feet slow and unsure, as if I were walking across wet concrete. I couldn’t think I just moved. “Julian?” my voice cracked as I reached him. He stiffened, turning as if he’d seen a ghost. “What… What are you doing here?" he asked, eyes darting nervously to the woman beside him. “I work here,” I said, my breath shallow. “I got promoted. I didn’t have the chance to tell you… You’ve been so busy. So distant.” Before he could respond, the woman beside him blinked at me. “I’m sorry, who are you?” Julian didn’t hesitate, didn’t flinch. “She’s a former employee of mine.” My world spun. Former employee? I stared at him, waiting for the correction that never came. Was that what I was to him now? I couldn’t believe what I had just heard. “I’m your wife,” I said, my voice barely a whisper, because I couldn’t even recognize it anymore. “Julian, I’m your wife.” The woman looked confused and uncomfortable. Julian, on the other hand, still didn’t correct himself. He didn’t apologize. I watched as his expression didn’t soften. “Eden, shut up; don’t tell these people lies. This lady worships me like I’m her hero. Come on, I only gave her a job and she thinks I walk on water or something. She’s so crazy that she is saying that she’s my wife.” Before I could speak, he continued talking. “Eden, look you’re in a chef coat; you smell like cheese.” The woman laughed. Heat flooded my face. I felt heartbreak and humiliation. I stood there, in front of chandeliers and champagne, in front of strangers, coworkers, and the media flashing cameras, and he made me feel like nothing. “People like me, the senior vice president of production of the Beta entertainment company”, he continues, sipping from his glass like this was nothing but an awkward interruption. “We’re not the same. I make seven figures, darling. You can’t keep up and that’s okay. But don’t come here expecting whatever it is you thought this was. Eden, someone like you can’t even breathe the same air as someone like me.” I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. I wanted to carry a bottle of champagne and throw it at him. But I didn’t. I held my ground, even though my knees felt like they’d give out. “Manager,” the woman called out. “Chloe, what are you doing?” Julian whispered. I stood there unable to think of what to do. The manager approached us; he didn’t even give me a look at first. He narrowed his eyes at Chloe, his face filled with concern. “What is the problem, Miss?” “You can’t let this woman treat us like this,” Chloe complained, her voice filled with venom. “I was just talking to Julian and she came up like she owned the place. It’s inappropriate!” “Honestly,” Julian added, his tone cold and indifferent. He wasn’t even angry but irritated. “I don’t know what kind of behavior she is bringing to your event, but this is unacceptable. I don’t need anyone spreading lies and ruining this for me.” The manager then turned to me. “Eden,” he said, his voice stern, like a scolding teacher. “I’m going to ask you to be professional. You’ve been working for us for years. You know the rules. Do not cause any more disruptions tonight. Is that clear? I couldn’t speak so I just nodded. The warning from my boss crushed any drop of dignity I had left. “Good,” the manager said quickly, turning to walk away. You’re on thin ice, Eden. Don’t forget that.” Thin ice. I had never felt like I was drowning in something so cold before. They kept talking behind me. Everyone, including Julian and Chloe. They were whispering, laughing, maybe. I don’t know. I don’t know how I ended up outside. I don’t even remember walking out of the hotel. I didn’t even notice my steps on the road. It was like the world was moving but I was standing still, detached from everything. The weight of what just happened crushed me so fast, I couldn’t catch my breath. I was still in my uniform. I didn’t even care. My feet carried me. Maybe I was walking in autopilot. Maybe I had already checked out of that hotel and that life. I didn’t even realize I was home until I stood in front of my front door.