Chapter 3: The Novelist's Burden

Ellie managed to finish the manuscript she was working on. Now, the anxiety-inducing moment of sitting on her swivel chair while her inbox was open had come.

Receiving one always puts her under stress. Just hearing a notification about a new message made her jump. There is always that fear of rejection, even if she is already a bestselling author.

The possibility that the manuscript she poured months into isn't interesting to the publisher. Even if the email isn't an outright rejection, it might contain a list of suggested edits that feel overwhelming or, worse, a complete overhaul of the novel she believed was already polished.

Another month of revising, or maybe longer.

The knocks on the door snapped Ellie from her spiraling thoughts. She dragged her palm over her eyes as though wiping away the last traces of sleepiness and morning stars before she looked up.

Daniel was already standing by the door, leaning his shoulder on the jamb. He looked worried, but there was still a faint smile on his face.

"You're back," Ellie said with a weary smile.

Daniel walked to her. "Have you eaten dinner?"

"Have you?" She avoided the question. If her husband says yes, then there is no reason to cook her dinner. She has no appetite anyway. But if he says no…

Daniel sighed. "Not yet." He stopped on her left and leaned forward with his arms stretched. Before Ellie could react, her body was pulled up already. She was like a toddler carried in his arms. "Let's eat together."

"Put me down." Despite saying so, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Aren't you tired?"

Daniel walked out of the room while carrying her wife. Ellie had no choice but to wrap her legs around his waist to lighten her weight. She buried her face on his neck and paused after noticing a smell.

"You've eaten already, aren't you?" She asked with a pout, catching Daniel's elusive eyes.

"There was a company dinner, but I didn't eat that much. I have a workaholic baby waiting at home to feed her, so I rushed home immediately."

"I'm not that hungry," Ellie answered.

"I don't hear it, but I could feel you're stomach grumbling. Stop lying. I'll get mad," Daniel sternly replied. "I told you not to skip meals. I told Kate to always cook your lunch, but I have a feeling you didn't get to eat it again."

He gently put her down on the table, opened the fridge, and then glared at Ellie after checking what was inside. He was right. Kate, their house helper, must have put the untouched food on the refrigerator before she went home.

Ellie looked away guiltily. She slept the whole day after she finished her manuscript, and then when she woke up, all she did was stare at her email inbox. She knew it was too soon to hear from her editor, but the anxiety made her do it.

"I'll heat it. Let's eat together."

Ellie watched her husband move in the kitchen swiftly. She was amazed that he immediately knew where to find what when she didn't even know where the spoons were. After the microwave sounded, she moved to the chair and waited for her husband.

They shared a meal while talking about their day. Ellie listened to her husband's office stories and laughed at his jokes. After their dinner, she volunteered to wash the dishes while Daniel took a bath.

She went back to her office and checked on her inbox again. There was none. Somehow, she puffed a sigh of relief. If she had received one and it asked her for revision, that night would be spent revising the manuscript again.

"Are you writing again? I thought you finished your manuscript already?"

Ellie shook her head. She closed her laptop and walked to Daniel. "I don't feel like writing tonight?"

Daniel chuckled. "Do you have a fever then?"

She pouted. Daniel pulled her out and closed the door. "Ah, no. I remember you write even if you have a fever. Not really a good habit, Mrs. Hartwell."

Ellie giggled. "It was only because an idea suddenly popped into my head back then. I couldn't forget it, and my hands were itchy to write."

"I should tie your hands next time you have a fever then," Daniel teased. He yawned as he opened the door to their bedroom.

Ellie headed to the bathroom. Daniel asked, "You haven't shower?"

"Nope. I'll be quick!" She replied and ran to the bathroom.

Left alone, Daniel mumbled to himself, "What did she do all day?"

When Ellie finished, Daniel was already asleep. She dried her hair in the bathroom, then lay next to him after. She stared at her husband for a few minutes, contemplating whether to wake him up or not.

When she opened her eyes again, his side of the bed was empty. It was ten in the morning already.

"Ah, Ma'am Eleanor, Sir Daniel said to make sure you eat breakfast! You can't go to your office without finishing them first!" Kate pulled Ellie after seeing her walk in the direction of her office without glancing at the food.

"I'll eat later. I just have something to check right now," Ellie replied, pushing Kate's hand on her arm. Kate hesitated while Ellie hurriedly walked away. She opened her inbox and frowned when she didn't receive any. Did her manuscript get lost in the void? But her editor, Shane, always prioritizes her work.

She began typing an inquiring message to Shane when her phone rang all of a sudden. Without looking at the caller, she answered, "Yes?"

"Yes, you didn't eat breakfast."

Ellie froze. Daniel sounded mad. She gulped and slowly stood. "I'm on it. I just checked something. I'm walking to the dining right now."

"Are you?"

"I swear."

She quickly walked out of her office and almost bumped into Kate holding a tray of food. Kate looked at her, confused. She mouthed, "I brought your breakfast and coffee."

Ellie glared at the younger woman. Who else would snitch on her? "I'll eat on the table."

Kate hurriedly went back to the dining room.

Ellie ended the call after promising her husband that she'd finish her meal. She felt loved and cared for, but sometimes, her husband was just too much. She ate in silence since Kate disappeared already.