A recipe of love

A new time

As Nathaniel's grief softened over the weeks that followed, he gradually allowed himself to be drawn back into his friends company. He first spoke to Etienne in the early hours, his voice quiet and hesitant, like a man stepping into the light after a prolonged darkness. Etienne met his tentative conversation with patience, their camaraderie rebuilding slowly, as though delicate and fragile. Soon, Nathaniel found himself speaking to Elsa as well, her gentle smiles and sympathetic presence offering him a comfort he hadn't anticipated. His heart, though battered, began to heal in small ways, releasing the grip of his mourning, even if only by inches.

Yet Elsa, whose patience was stretched thin, grew restless. Despite her careful efforts to gain his affections, Nathaniel's heart remained closed to her. His kindness, though unwavering, held only polite indifference. Elsa clung to hope until her burgeoning secret could no longer be hidden. Summoning courage one warm afternoon, she approached him, the weight of her revelation heavy on her shoulders.

"Nathaniel," she began softly, her voice a hesitant whisper as she pressed a hand to her gently rounded belly. "There is... something you must know."

Nathaniel's gaze lifted, his expression unreadable, waiting for her to continue.

"I am with child," she said, a mix of vulnerability and hope in her tone. "And... it is yours."

For a long moment, he said nothing, his face carefully controlled. His gaze shifted to her abdomen, realization settling over him with a heaviness he could not disguise. "I see," he replied, his voice steady, though a subtle distance crept into his tone. "I will take full responsibility." His words were clear, his tone resolute, but devoid of warmth. "You have my word. You and the child will be well provided for, Elsa."

She felt the sting of his formality, and though her heart yearned for more, she nodded, resignation tightening her throat. "Nathaniel... I hoped that, in time..."

But Nathaniel withdrew his hand from hers, his gaze softening, though his tone remained firm. "My heart cannot be forced, Elsa. I have given you my word and will care for you both, but there is nothing more I can offer."

With his withdrawal, Elsa's dreams faded, their warmth dissolving into reluctant acceptance. She turned her focus to preparing for their child's arrival, while Nathaniel maintained his distance, providing for her but remaining emotionally aloof. Their son arrived nearly a year later, and with his birth, Nathaniel felt the spark of paternal love, though his heart remained guarded where Elsa was concerned.

With school completed, Nathaniel's focus turned to building a future of renown. He threw himself into work, his talents and tenacity earning him wealth and esteem. Through Etienne's father, he met prominent men of society, his ambition and drive carving a swift path toward prosperity. He became a man of considerable fortune, his success bringing him the admiration of his peers. Though Elsa stayed by his side, her role was relegated to that of a companion in status only. Her love remained unreturned, though she basked in the reflected glow of his achievements, holding their child as her only claim to his life.

As Nathaniel's wealth grew, so did his desire to return to his homeland, where memories both sweet and painful lingered in every corner. After three years, he purchased a grand estate there, alongside a luxurious patisserie-a testament to his success and a symbol of the life he had built. The whispers about the wealthy newcomer soon filled society, curiosity about the mysterious stranger mingling with admiration and envy.

Meanwhile, in the quieter corners of society, Margaret's own journey had followed a much different path. She threw herself into her work, seeking solace in the rhythm of her days, her once-vibrant spirit growing quieter with each passing season. Her heart, still haunted by the memory of a love she had lost, found peace only in the daily demands that required no space for sentiment. Yet her mother grew insistent, pressing Margaret to accept the attentions of Mr. Lennox, a suitable match though not one she desired.