Chapter 31

After she finished washing up, Evangeline found herself with plenty of time on he hands.

With nothing urgent to do, she let herself sink into a rare moment of idleness, sprawling across the bed and letting her mind drift. Maybe it was because so much had happened in the past couple of days, but as soon as she closed her eyes, sleep swept over her.

When she woke again, it was already noon the next day.

Still groggy, she climbed out of bed. The moment her feet touched the floor, a sharp pain shot through her toe. Only then did she notice that her pinky toe–banged up the night before–was now swollen and red.

But she was supposed to visit the Fawkes family later, and there wasn’t time for a hospital trip now.

With no better option, Evangeline dabbed some ointment on it, bandaged it up as best she could, and headed out the door.

Soren had never been keen on joining her for visits to the Fawkes estate. Now that divorce was looming, Evangeline saw no reason to even wait for him.

She picked up the gift she’d carefully chosen for Old Mrs. Fawkes, then drove straight to the auto shop to retrieve her car–the one her mother had given her, recently repaired after a minor accident. Sliding behind the wheel, she set off for the Fawkes Family Estate.

The estate lay on the outskirts of town, tucked away in a quiet, leafy neighborhood where the air felt fresh and clean. Evangeline deliberately slowed her pace, rolling down the window to let the breeze wash over her. Somehow, the simple act of driving through open country soothed the tangle of emotions she’d been carrying.

When she arrived, she parked, grabbed the gift, and stepped out.

Just as she was about to walk through the front gate, a familiar female voice called

out from behind.

“Evangeline, is that really you p>

She paused, turning to see Poppy and Soren.

Poppy was practically glued to Soren’s arm, her other hand juggling a pile of carefully wrapped presents. As the two strolled toward her, arm–in–arm, Evangeline

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felt a surreal stab of displacement–like she was the outsider and i Fawkes family’s real daughter in law.

She’d accepted the divorce was inevitable and knew Poppy would end up marrying Soren sooner or later, but the scene still chilled her. The divorce paperwork wasnt even finalized, yet here was Soren, bringing Poppy home as if rehearsing for the

future:

She supposed he was laying the groundwork for what was to come.

Despite her distaste for Poppy, Evangeline mustered her composure and greeted her with polite warmth. “What a coincidence p>

Her smile was effortless.

Soren shot her a quick, dissatisfied glance, a flicker of annoyance in his dark eyes.

How could she still smile like that?

Usually, whenever Evangeline upset him, she’d apologize by nightfall, smoothing things over between them. Now, seeing her so calm and unbothered–as if she hadn’t even noticed him–left him oddly unsettled. He quickened his pace, dragging Poppy along.

Poppy, struggling to keep up, glanced back and pouted playfully at Soren. “Slow down, Soren! Evangeline’s behind us. Let’s wait for her p>

Soren didn’t even turn his head. He ignored her completely.

Evangeline couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. In front of Poppy, he couldn’t even be bothered to acknowledge her.

If Poppy noticed the tension, she didn’t let on. She turned back with a faux–apologetic smile. “Sorry, Evangeline. We’ll head inside first, if you don’t mind. Don’t take it personally–Soren’s always been like this. I’ll have a word with him for you another time p>

Three sentences, and she’d staked her claim.

Evangeline pressed her lips together, suddenly unsure whether to follow or turn back. She felt caught between worlds.

In the end, she sighed and went in.

The moment she stepped inside, a shriek of delight echoed from the living room. “Oh my God, Poppy! How did you know I’m obsessed with the founder of UML is this really his signature? It must’ve cost a fortune–I love you so much p>

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Flora Fawkes, seventeen or eighteen and dressed in a pale yellow sundress, was clutching a signed phone case and squealing with excitement. Throwing her arms wide, she barreled into Poppy for a hug.

Poppy let her, laughing indulgently and giving Flora’s cheek a gentle pinch. “As long as you like it, it’s worth every penny. Nothing compares to seeing our Miss Fawkes smile p>

Flora was practically babbling in delight. “Poppy, I adore you! I can’t even imagine how wonderful you’d be if you’d actually married my brother p>

Evangeline paused on the threshold, just in time to hear Flora’s words.

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