A Romantic Dinner Surprise

Sophia blinked in disbelief. Was she imagining things, or was Ethan home early? It was the first time since their marriage that he'd come back before dinner.

Standing by the door, Ethan looked different. He wasn't wearing his usual formal attire; instead, he had on a white shirt with the top two buttons undone, showing a bit of his tanned skin. His expression, however, was hard to read. His eyes seemed distant, and there was a coldness about him that made Sophia hesitate.

"You're… home early," Sophia said with a small smile, giving a timid wave. She wanted to welcome him warmly, but her smile faded when he didn't respond. Ethan's expression remained unreadable, and his silence was like a wall between them.

Feeling discouraged, Sophia lowered her gaze and stayed on the sofa. She didn't know why, but her husband's presence made the air in the room feel heavy.

After some time, Ethan came downstairs. His movements were slow and deliberate like he was deep in thought. As soon as he appeared, the servants approached him politely.

"Sir, would you like dinner to be served now?" one of them asked.

Ethan gave a brief nod but didn't say anything.

Sophia was surprised. Ethan rarely ate at home. Most nights, she dined alone, finishing her meals quickly in the vast dining room. But tonight felt different.

The dining table was soon set with a variety of delicious dishes. The soft glow of the chandelier above gave the room a warm, inviting atmosphere. Sophia felt unsure as she sat down, glancing at Ethan.

Ethan sat at the far end of the long table. He held a glass of wine, swirling it slowly in his hand, and occasionally took small sips. Though he didn't speak, his eyes stayed on Sophia.

Unaware of his gaze, Sophia focused on her food. She had been hungry all day and wasted no time digging in once the servants served her. At one point, she accidentally choked on a spicy dish, coughing quietly.

Ethan frowned at the sight, clearly annoyed.

Ethan wasn't home early by chance. Today was their wedding anniversary, and he wanted to surprise her. He had rushed through his work at the office and even bought her a special gift. But when he got home, the servants told him, "Madam hasn't come back yet."

He waited for Sophia, imagining her happy face when she saw him. He thought she'd be excited, maybe even overjoyed, to see him home early for the first time in months. Instead, all he got was a hesitant greeting and a startled look.

Ethan couldn't help feeling disappointed. Shouldn't a wife be happy when her husband comes home early? Shouldn't she greet him warmly, take his coat, and smile? His earlier excitement faded, replaced by irritation and frustration.

Meanwhile, Sophia continued eating, unaware of her husband's feelings. She was too hungry to notice the tension in the room and didn't think much about his silence.

"There wasn't much work at the office today, so I came home early," Ethan finally said, breaking the quiet. His tone was calm but distant.

Sophia looked up briefly, surprised by his words. "Oh, okay," she replied absentmindedly before turning back to her meal. She assumed he must be in a good mood since he was eating dinner at home for once.

Ethan's expression darkened. Her indifferent response made him feel even more frustrated. The servants, who had been excited to see Ethan home early, noticed the change in his mood. They had hoped the evening would bring the couple closer together, but now, it seemed like the opposite might happen.

For the past year, ever since their wedding, the house had been unusually quiet. Ethan left early in the morning and returned late at night, leaving little time for conversation. Sophia spent most evenings alone, and the lack of interaction between them created a growing distance.

Before their marriage, things had been different. Though they weren't deeply in love, they shared a bond that felt stable and comfortable. But after their wedding, something changed.

Misunderstandings began to build, and the warmth between them faded.

Ethan had planned this dinner as a way to reconnect. He thought it would be a turning point in their relationship. But Sophia's lukewarm reaction made him wonder if he'd made a mistake. After dinner, the couple returned to their bedroom. The silence between them was almost suffocating.

***

Ethan reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, beautifully wrapped box. Without a word, he placed it on the table beside the bed.

Sophia's curiosity was piqued. She glanced at the box, then at Ethan, who stood by the window with his back to her.

"What's this?" she asked softly.

Ethan didn't respond immediately. He stared out the window, his hands in his pockets, as if gathering his thoughts. The moonlight streaming through the curtains illuminated his sharp features, making his expression hard to read.

Finally, he turned to face her. "It's for you," he said simply.

Sophia hesitated before picking up the box. She carefully unwrapped it, revealing a small velvet jewelry box inside. When she opened it, her breath caught.

Inside was a delicate necklace with a heart-shaped pendant, encrusted with tiny diamonds. It was beautiful—elegant and understated, just like her taste.

"It's… lovely," she said quietly, glancing up at Ethan.

He nodded slightly. "I thought you'd like it."

Sophia's chest tightened. She wanted to say something to break the ice, to acknowledge the effort he had made. But the words wouldn't come.

Instead, she looked at the necklace, running her fingers over the smooth surface of the pendant. It wasn't just a gift—it was a symbol of his attempt to mend what was broken between them.

Ethan took a step closer, his voice softer now. "Sophia," he said, "I wanted tonight to be special." Sophia looked up at him, her eyes searching his for a sign of the man she once knew. The man who had made her laugh, who had shared quiet moments with her before everything became so complicated.

"I know," she whispered.

For the first time in months, they stood together in a moment of fragile understanding. The distance between them hadn't disappeared, but in that moment, it felt a little smaller. But it was her dream Ethan never did this for her.