I traded love for wealth. And fate brought her back to mepregnant, serving food in a posh London restaurant. What happened that night didnt just end my engagementit rewrote my entire life.
Gilbert, a millionaire, sat at a lavish table beside his fiancée, Samantha, when a young waitress handed him the menu. As he looked up, his heart lurchedit was Eleanor.
Their eyes locked for a fleeting moment, both stunned. Eleanor had been his first love, back when he was poor, living in a tiny Yorkshire village. Theyd sworn eternal devotion under the sunset on the rooftop of his familys cottage, fingers entwined.
Now, something long buried in Gilberts chest stirredlove. And Eleanor, it seemed, felt it too.
Samantha, sharp-eyed, noticed the tension. Do you two know each other? Gilbert lied smoothly, brushing it off as a passing acquaintance. Eleanor kept serving, her movements steadybut then he saw it. The gentle swell of her belly. Doubt gnawed at him. What had happened to her all these years?
The last time hed seen her was before university. Shed begged him to stay, but hed chosen ambitionwealth, status, escape from their humble life. In London, hed found success, but never peace. Money solved problems, but not the ache in his chest.
Samantha had seemed perfect: wealthy, beautiful, well-connected. Yet deep down, hed always known she wasnt the one. Now, faced with Eleanor, that truth burned clear.
When Samantha excused herself, Eleanor returned to the table. Gilbert couldnt hold back. Sit, he urged, voice low.
Her story spilled outshed come to London searching for him, only to find hardship. She scraped by with menial jobs, even slept rough before a restaurant owner took her in, then betrayed her, leaving her alone and pregnant. Tears streaked her cheeks as she spoke. Gilbert pulled her into an embrace, guilt and longing crushing him.
Then, walking into the restroom, he found Samantha locked in a heated embrace with the head chef. She didnt deny it. Seven months, she admitted coolly.
To her shock, Gilbert didnt rage. He laughedrelief, not fury. Then our engagement is over.
Back in the dining room, Eleanor was gone. Desperate, he rushed outsidewhere he found her struggling with a broken umbrella in the rain.
Wait! he called, sprinting to her. As words tumbled outconfessions, apologiestheir lips met, fierce and desperate. Time folded back. The years apart melted like the rain on their skin.
He vowed to care for her, for the child. Soon after, he bought a countryside home, giving Eleanor the peace shed always deserved.
When their son was born, the three of themGilbert, Eleanor, and the babyclimbed onto the roof, just like old times. Wrapped in each others arms, they watched the sunset, swearing never to part again.
