Evelyn and Derek ate breakfast alone the following day. Maya claimed she wanted to sleep in and eat later, but they all knew she was avoiding them because she didn't want to discuss her situation with Liam. After breakfast, Evelyn decided to talk to Maya. She took a tray of breakfast to Maya's room and knocked softly.

Evelyn heard a faint rustle. A moment later, the door creaked open. Maya stood there, dressed in a casual hoodie and sweatpants, her dark hair in a messy bun. Her guarded expression softened slightly when she saw Evelyn with the breakfast tray.

"Good morning," Evelyn greeted warmly. "Breakfast delivery."

"Thank you," Maya replied, taking the tray.

"Can I come in for a quick chat?" Evelyn asked. Maya's eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering across her face.

"Is this about… last night?" she asked cautiously.

Evelyn chuckled softly. "Not entirely. I just wanted to check on you."

Maya opened the door wider, gesturing for Evelyn to enter. Evelyn stepped into the small, cozy room, noting the neatly made bed and a stack of books on the nightstand.

"So," Evelyn began lightly, "how are you doing this morning?" Maya set the tray on the stack of books.

Evelyn sat by the window, waiting for Maya to settle on the bed. Maya shrugged, pulling her legs up to sit cross-legged.

"I'm alright. What about you?"

"I'm okay, too," Evelyn replied, leaning back. "Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something."

Maya tensed. "Let me guess… Liam? I'm sorry I didn't tell you I…"

Evelyn smiled reassuringly and interrupted. "Yes, about Liam, but not in the way you're thinking."

Maya relaxed slightly but remained cautious. "Okay…"

Evelyn's smile widened. "Actually, I'm not upset about you keeping his secret. I'm glad you two got to know each other better. He's a really decent guy, and I think it's wonderful that you've become friends." Maya's cheeks flushed, and she blinked in surprise. "Really?"

"Of course," Evelyn said gently. "You don't need to feel awkward or guilty. I'm totally fine with… whatever is going on between you two."

Maya's head snapped up. "Whatever's going on?" she echoed, nervously laughing. "I'm not sure there's anything going on," she muttered. "I mean… he likes you, Evelyn. I don't see how someone like him could go from liking someone like you to… me."

Evelyn's smile faltered, replaced by disbelief. She raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. "Maya, please don't tell me you said that to him."

Maya shook her head quickly. "Not exactly. But it's the truth," she admitted.

"No, it's not," Evelyn countered, her tone growing more serious.

"It is," Maya insisted.

"What is the truth? That he liked me, or that he can't go from liking 'someone like me' to you?" Evelyn asked. Maya gave a half-shrug, saying nothing.

"What do you mean, 'someone like me'?" Evelyn asked. Maya sighed.

"Seriously, Evelyn, can't you see the difference between us? Do I need to spell it out? Until a couple of days ago, I was your employee. You're accomplished. I have nothing. I am nobody…"

"For goodness sake, Maya, why would you think I'm better than you in any way?" Evelyn interrupted, frowning.

Maya hesitated, her voice barely a whisper. "I'm not thinking it. It's the reality. Look at me. I don't have a degree. I don't have a good job. I have health problems. My life's a mess, Evelyn. I've got nothing going for me. Well, until recently, as you know." Evelyn sighed, her expression softening. "Maya, all of those things can change in the next two to five years, and they will if you work towards them as you've planned. But why do you think those are the criteria for being worth loving?"

Maya looked up, confusion clouding her face as she bit her lip, her eyes glistening. "But he's a doctor, Evelyn. He's accomplished so much, and I'm just… me. I'd never catch up."

"And that's all you ever need to be, Maya. You. Unapologetically you. Listen," Evelyn continued earnestly. "You're a kind, genuine, and thoughtful person. That's what matters. That's the only thing anyone worth having in your life would care about. You don't have to catch up."

"But I will only be an embarrassment to him in his social circle…"

"None of that matters," Evelyn said firmly. "If Liam likes you—and I'm pretty sure he does—then he sees all the amazing things about you that you can't seem to see in yourself. If you like him, and he likes you, that's what counts." Evelyn placed a comforting hand on Maya's knee.

"And if you want, you can take things slowly, keep it private while you pursue your dreams. And maybe when you feel more confident, you can make it public. If you like him, Maya, give yourself a chance to see where this could go. Don't walk away because you think you're not enough. You are enough, Maya. You, more than anyone else, should believe that about yourself. What do you expect others to do if you look down on yourself? You're more than enough for Liam, or even the president."

Maya's shoulders slumped as a small smile touched her lips.

"You really think so?"

Evelyn squeezed her hand. "I know so. And honestly? If you care about him, don't let your insecurities get in the way. You deserve happiness as much as anyone else." Maya nodded slowly. "Thank you, Evelyn. I… I'll think about what you said."

Evelyn smiled, standing up. "Good. I have to go now. We have a doctor's appointment. And we'll be bringing my parents here from the hospital."

"I'll make sure their room is ready before they arrive," Maya said, seeing Evelyn to the door.

Forty-five minutes later, Evelyn and Derek arrived at the obstetrician's office, hand in hand. They checked in, smiled at the receptionist, and sat in the waiting area. Derek tapped his knee, his eyes flitting around the room before softening as they rested on Evelyn's belly.

"Are you nervous?" Evelyn teased, taking his hand.

"Not nervous," he said, smiling. "Just… I don't know. Excited. This feels unreal."

The nurse called them in. Derek helped Evelyn up, his hand never leaving hers as they followed the nurse.

The examination room was small but welcoming. Evelyn settled onto the examination table, and Derek pulled up a chair. The obstetrician, a cheerful woman in her forties, entered with a smile. "Good morning, Evelyn. And you must be Derek?"

"That's me!" Derek said, his voice warm but awed. His gaze darted between the doctor and the equipment.

"Are we ready to meet the baby today?" the doctor asked, preparing the ultrasound machine.

Evelyn nodded eagerly. Derek seemed to want to speak but couldn't find the words. He squeezed Evelyn's hand.

The doctor dimmed the lights, and the soft hum of the machine filled the room. Evelyn exposed her belly, and Derek watched intently as the doctor applied the gel and moved the probe.

The screen flickered to life. Initially, there was a blur, but then a tiny form appeared. The room grew quiet except for the rhythmic whooshing sound.

"There it is," the doctor said softly. "That's your baby's heartbeat."

Derek's breath hitched. He leaned forward, his eyes fixed on the screen. His hand tightened around Evelyn's, and she glanced at him. His mouth was slightly open, his eyes wide with wonder. "That… that tiny bean-like shape? That's our baby?" he whispered.

"Yes," the doctor confirmed, smiling. "That's your baby."

Evelyn felt a lump in her throat watching Derek. His eyes glistened, and he didn't notice the tear that slipped down his cheek. She brushed it away gently. "It's real," he said, his voice cracking. "I mean, I knew it was real, but… hearing it. Seeing it…"

Evelyn's heart swelled. She placed her hand over his, their fingers interlacing. "It's amazing, isn't it?" she murmured.

"It's incredible," Derek said, his eyes never leaving the screen. He laughed softly. "Look at that. That's our baby, Eve. Our baby. Did Samantha look this way, too? Or did she have a different shape? Like a banana?" He grinned, and both Evelyn and the doctor laughed.

The doctor explained the fetal development stages, and Derek listened intently, nodding and asking questions. When the doctor printed the ultrasound images, Derek held them like precious treasures, tracing the tiny silhouette with his finger. Evelyn watched him, her chest tight with emotion. This moment felt perfect—sharing this experience with Derek and seeing his love for their baby written all over his face. "Thank you," he whispered, his eyes locking with hers. "Thank you for giving me this."

Evelyn smiled. "You've given me just as much, Derek. More than I ever thought possible."

As they left, Derek still holding the ultrasound pictures, they stopped in the hallway. He hugged Evelyn gently, resting his chin on her head.

"I'll never forget this day," he said softly.

"Me neither," Evelyn replied, holding him tightly. For a moment, it was just the two of them, their love filling the quiet space.