Chapter 43 More Than Enough
More Than Enough
Eli's Search History: Modern blue and white kitchen renovation ideas
Emily
“Do not flick that paintbrush at me, Eliot Calder!” I scream, holding my own up in defence.
He blinks innocently. “I had no plans to do anything of the sort.”
I raise a brow, tilting my head. “Really?”
“Why would I ruin our hard work?” he asks, spreading his arms to gesture at the renovation site around us.
It’s been almost two months since Gia broke in and attacked me. Since I killed her. The first month was spent recovering from the stab wound to my thigh. It isn’t one hundred percent better, but the pain is gone and the skin has healed. Now it’s just a matter of rebuilding my strength.
We’ve repainted the hall a soft duck-egg green, adding new décor to finish it off. The living room got a fresh lick of paint too.
The kitchen, though, has been a full project. Instead of just repainting, Eli decided to rip out the cupboards and worktops entirely.
The new cabinets will be a smoky blue, paired with grey-veined white marble countertops. The floor is to be ripped up too and will be replaced with large diamond-patterned stone tiles in a warm, earthy tan.
Yesterday, Eli and Tyler fitted the skeleton of the new kitchen, and the new island is completely ready in a slightly darker blue than what the rest of the cupboards will be.
Right now, though, we’re painting the walls white—a neutral base.
It’s a far cry from the dark grey that used to dominate the space.
Honestly, I’m surprised Eli was so happy to go along with all my suggestions. But I shouldn’t be. He’s always been willing—eager—to give me whatever I want. Even if that means adding colour to his usually monochrome home. One he insists belongs to us now.
And it does feel like home. I haven’t thought about leaving in months.
“We should paint the nursery,” Eli says with a smile.
I freeze.
“Nursery?” I choke, my eyes widening.
Oblivious to my internal panic, Eli keeps talking. “The spare room. It needs redecorating after everything, so we might as well get it ready for when we have children.”
Cold sweat beads along my spine. Goosebumps pebble my arms.
“Eli…” I start carefully. “I—um—”
“We don’t have to have kids right away,” he continues. “I know there’s more time pressure for women. I just thought, since we’re already decorating, it made sense to—”
“I can’t have children,” I blurt.
The paintbrush clatters to the floor.
His mouth opens, then closes. His eyes are wide. “Oh.”
“I’m sorry,” I rush out. “I should’ve told you. I just—”
“It’s okay, Angel.”
I blink. “It is?”
“Of course. We can always adopt.”
I shake my head. “I don’t want to adopt.”
“Okay…” His tone is careful now.
I drop my face into my hands. “Eli, I—”
Warm fingers wrap around my forearms. He gently guides me into a chair, then pulls one up in front of me. He interlaces our fingers, his smile soft and patient. “Talk to me, Angel.”
I meet his pale eyes—eyes that hold no judgement. “I had my fallopian tubes removed when I was twenty-one.” I swallow. “I was pregnant.”
His grip tightens.
“It was an ectopic pregnancy. The foetus implanted outside my uterus.” My voice steadies as I continue. “They could remove one tube, but the risk of it happening again was high. Or they could remove both… and I’d never be able to conceive naturally.”
The memories press against my skull. It wasn’t a planned pregnancy—I’d already booked an abortion—but the choice I had to make felt impossibly heavy for someone so young.
I’ve made peace with it now.
“I know adoption is an option,” I say quietly. “But it’s not something I want. I have Graham. He’s enough for me.”
Eli leans back, frown lines carving into his forehead. Then he drops to his knees in front of me, palms warm against my thighs.
“I’m sorry you went through that, Angel.”
I let out a shaky breath. “You’re not mad?”
He tilts his head. “I do want to maim whoever got you pregnant.”
A laugh slips out of me, chased by a tear.
“But I’d never be mad at you, Em,” he adds softly. “You, me, and Graham? That’s more than enough for me too.”
Relief floods my chest.
I throw my arms around his neck and cry into him. He holds me there until there’s nothing left to cry out.