THE CEO'S UNLOVED WIFE ✅

Chapter XII: Struggles

(Back to the present day)

Upon waking, Kaitlyn, feeling famished, resolves to whip up her breakfast. Her yearning? Italian spaghetti. Drawing inspiration from Heidi's recipe, the growling of her stomach serves as a gentle reminder that she's nourishing not only herself.

Kaitlyn started preparing the Italian spaghetti with a determined focus.

First, she filled a pot with water, the sound of it rushing from the faucet echoing in the kitchen. With precision, she added a pinch of salt to the water, giving it a subtle flavor boost. As the water came to a rolling boil, she reached for a bundle of spaghetti, the strands clinging together.

With a graceful twist of her wrist, she gently lowered the spaghetti into the boiling water, watching as it gradually softened. Meanwhile, the aroma of garlic filled the air as she minced it skillfully, preparing to infuse the sauce with flavor.

In a separate pan, she heated olive oil, the sizzle accompanying the fragrant release of its essence. The minced garlic joined the oil, creating a symphony of scents that danced around her kitchen. Next came the tomatoes, fresh and vibrant, meeting the warmth of the pan with a satisfying hiss.

Her movements were deliberate as she stirred the sauce, each swirl incorporating the ingredients into a harmonious blend. A dash of herbs and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan added the finishing touches, turning the sauce into a masterpiece.

As the spaghetti reached the perfect al dente texture, she skillfully drained it, the steam rising in wisps. With a satisfying clatter, she combined the pasta with the luscious tomato sauce, the vibrant colors, and the rich aroma signaling the completion of her culinary creation.

Kaityln couldn't help but smile, knowing that each step in the process was a labor of love, not only for herself but for the tiny life growing within her.

As she gazed at the perfectly prepared Italian spaghetti, an unexpected urge overcame Kaitlyn. Despite the initial resistance to the idea, an inexplicable craving drove her to consider an unconventional addition – a generous scoop of ice cream atop her pasta. The juxtaposition of flavors seemed unusual, yet the compelling force of her pregnancy-induced longing made it oddly appealing. In a moment of culinary curiosity, she hesitated, contemplating whether to follow through with this unexpected fusion of tastes.

The thought crossed Kaitlyn's mind – imagining Heidi, a true Italian at heart, witnessing her unconventional ice cream addition to the pasta. A chuckle escaped her lips as she pictured Heidi's possible reaction, anticipating that the sight might be enough to make the Italian culinary purist "freak out."

As Kaitlyn took the first bite of her peculiar yet oddly satisfying creation, a wave of contentment swept over her. The flavors danced on her palate, and for the first time in a while, she found genuine pleasure in a meal. Memories of a time when meals were a solitary affair during her marriage to Dean surfaced. Though he was a good man, the lack of appreciation for her culinary efforts left her with a diminished appetite. Even within the bounds of matrimony, she often found herself dining alone, the echoes of those solitary meals lingering in her past.

Caressing her visible baby bump, Kaitlyn couldn't help but wonder about the well-being of her child's father. In a quiet moment, she whispered to the tiny life growing within, "I wonder what your daddy is doing right now,", she paused and took a deep breath trying to shrug away the developing sadness.

"He's probably married to his love," she added with a wistful smile, savoring the bittersweet emotions that lingered in that introspective moment.

"Kaitlyn, you've got this," she whispered to herself, a gentle encouragement echoing in the quiet of her surroundings when memories of the past flashed in her mind.