Chapter 197: A picnic
Ian had planned the picnic carefully.
He wanted to spend an entire day with Evelyn and Leo. More than anything, he wanted to win Evelyn’s heart back.
He knew he couldn’t undo the years they had lost with a few words or apologies. If he wanted another chance with her, he had to show her that he was willing to make an effort.
He had chosen a quiet, open meadow surrounded by nature.
Evelyn stopped the moment she stepped into the clearing. A warm smile curled across her lips before she could stop it.
The place was serene and untouched, with tall trees bordering the meadow. Their branches swayed gently in the breeze, while wildflowers danced beneath them. The soft chirping of birds and the occasional rustle of leaves added to the peacefulness of the place.
Evelyn closed her eyes and breathed deeply, letting the cool, fresh air brush against her face. Slowly, she stretched her arms wide, as if she could embrace the entire peaceful world around her.
Ian had just set down the picnic baskets when he paused. His gaze settled on her.
She looked beautiful.
Her colorful midi dress swayed gently around her legs as she walked through the meadow. Around her neck, the diamond pendant shimmered under the sunlight.
Ian couldn’t take his eyes off her. His heart thumped at the thought that she had put on the pendant he had given her the previous day.
’Has she forgiven me?’ he wondered.
Evelyn crouched down to pick a few wild daisies, and a genuine smile spread across her face. There was a carefree happiness in her eyes that he hadn’t seen in a long time.
Sunlight fell across her face, making her skin glow.
Ian wished he could walk over to her, pull her into his arms, and tell her how much he had missed her.
But he didn’t move. He remained where he was, quietly watching her with a mixture of longing and admiration.
"Daddy, look... butterflies." Leo’s excited voice broke through his thoughts.
Ian blinked and turned toward his son, who was pointing at a cluster of colorful butterflies fluttering above the wildflowers.
"Don’t go too far," he cautioned him as he spread a large picnic blanket beneath the shade of a tree.
"Let me help you."
Evelyn walked over and knelt beside him. Together, they began arranging the food, their shoulders occasionally brushing against each other.
There were sandwiches, vegetable wraps, fried chicken, fresh fruit, cheese and crackers, and a box of chocolate brownies. He had also packed bottles of juice, iced tea, and a few of Leo’s favorite snacks.
Ian glanced at her. The simple sight of Evelyn beside him felt like something precious.
Leo rushed over in the meantime. He looked delighted as he discovered everything in the basket.
"Wow... These snacks are my favorite."
He already pulled out the potato chip packet and started eating.
But Ian wasn’t watching the food. His attention kept drifting toward Evelyn. He noticed the small smile on her face as she watched Leo’s delightful face. For Ian, that smile alone made the entire effort worthwhile.
After he finished eating, Leo found the ball Ian had brought.
"Daddy... Let’s play."
Ian immediately stood. "Of course."
He kicked the ball gently toward his son.
Leo chased after it, laughing as he tried to kick it back.
Ian deliberately missed. "Oh," he exclaimed dramatically. "You almost got me."
Leo burst into laughter. "I got you."
"You did."
Ian ran after him, pretending that he couldn’t catch him.
Leo squealed and ran across the grass, his laughter filling the quiet meadow. Soon, father and son were completely absorbed in their game.
Ian kicked the ball toward Leo, then chased after him when the boy ran off with it. Whenever Leo stumbled, Ian immediately reached for him, helping him back onto his feet before ruffling his hair affectionately.
"Again," Leo shouted.
Ian laughed. "Again? Alright, come on."
He tossed the ball back to him.
Evelyn sat quietly on the blanket, watching them. A soft smile touched her lips.
Her eyes followed Ian as he bent down to help Leo after he stumbled. He said something to the boy, and Leo immediately burst into another fit of laughter.
There was something about the sight that tugged painfully at her heart.
Evelyn had always wanted to see them like this. She had dreamed of so many moments like this, doing simple things—Leo playing with his father, spending an ordinary afternoon together. She had spent years wondering what it would have been like if things had been different.
Now, for the first time, she was sitting there and watching the family she had once dreamed about. Her family felt complete.
Her eyes grew moist. She quickly blinked. She looked at Ian again.
’What if I asked him to marry me again?’ A dangerous thought suddenly entered her mind.
Her heart skipped. Perhaps they could give Leo the family he deserved. Perhaps she could finally have the life she had once wanted so desperately.
Her gaze lingered on Ian.
For one fleeting moment, she almost imagined herself walking up to him and asking him to marry her again. But she stopped herself.
’No. I can’t give in that easily.’
One beautiful afternoon couldn’t erase everything that had happened between them.
Ian had hurt her. He had left wounds that time alone hadn’t completely healed.
’If he truly wants me back, he has to prove that he is worthy of another chance.’
Evelyn lowered her gaze, hiding the emotions in her eyes. She wasn’t going to make things easy for him. She picked up a slice of fruit and pretended to be more interested in it than the two people playing in front of her.
But a small smile remained on her lips. She couldn’t deny what her heart was telling her.
The ringing of the phone drew Evelyn’s attention.
She glanced down and saw Ian’s phone blinking on the blanket. The moment she saw Maya’s name on the screen, her smile froze.
All the joy and excitement she had felt moments ago disappeared.
’He said he would spend the day with us,’ she thought bitterly. ’And now she is calling him.’
A familiar uneasiness settled in her chest. She was certain Ian would leave them in the middle of the picnic.
After all, hadn’t he done that countless times before?
There had always been something more important—work, patients, emergencies, responsibilities. She and Leo had always been the ones left waiting while Ian vanished in the name of duty.
Her gaze shifted toward him.
Ian was still playing with Leo, completely unaware of the ringing phone.
Part of her told her to ignore the call.
’Let it ring.’
But then something inside her changed. She reached for the phone and answered it.
"Hello?"
There was a brief silence on the other end.
Then Maya’s voice came through. "Who is this? Why is Ian’s phone with you?"
Evelyn’s fingers tightened around the phone.
’Ian?’
The way Maya said his name made something twist painfully inside her chest. She hadn’t called him Dr. Whitmore. She had simply called him Ian, as if they were close.
A flash of fury surged through Evelyn.
"It’s Evelyn," she said, her voice turning cold. "Ian is with me."