Chapter 32

ChapterIL

Chapter 32

To be honest, Evangeline had grown used to all of this.

Flora and Soren were close as siblings, so naturally, Flora shared Soren’s dislike of her–often making snide remarks whenever Evangeline was around.

It was a pattern: Flora would mock her, insisting she wasn’t good enough for Soren and accusing her of getting between Soren and Poppy.

At first, those barbs hurt. Evangeline tried everything to win Flora over–she looked up her hobbies, bought her gifts, even tracked down signed memorabilia from overseas just to see her smile.

Flora always accepted the gifts, but never with any real gratitude. She’d smirk, roll her eyes, and say things like, “Don’t think I don’t see through your little schemes p>

“And don’t think you can buy me off with presents. No matter how hard you try, you’ll always be the third wheel between my brother and Poppy. I’ll never be on your side p>

Those words stung, and for a long time, Evangeline couldn’t help but feel hurt.

But over time, she learned to let it go.

Now, when Flora threw out another jab, Evangeline barely felt a thing.

She walked into the room with her head held high, greeting everyone politely, just as she always did.

The moment Flora spotted her, her expression soured. She rolled her eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn’t get stuck. “Way to ruin thé mood,” Flora muttered.

It was always like this—Flora couldn’t be more obvious about her disdain, especially when compared to how sweet she’d just been with Poppy.

Poppy, ever the peacemaker, ruffled Flora’s hair and said with a gentle smile, “Flora, whatever else, Evangeline is your sister–in–law. You shouldn’t speak to her that way.” Flora snorted. “Who says she’s my sister–in–law p>

“Poppy, honestly, the only person I’d ever consider worthy of being my sister–in–law is you p>

She sounded utterly sincere, as if she was worried Poppy wouldn’t believe her, so she doubled down: “I mean it p>

1/3

Chapter 32

Poppy’s eyes sparkled with a hint of smug satisfaction, but she covered it well.

Turning to Evangeline, she said, “Sorry about that, Evangeline. You know how kids say things–they don’t always mean it p>

Evangeline could only manage a resigned, half–hearted smile.

There was nothing left to be bothered by–everyone in the room knew the unspoken

truth.

This wasn’t the first time Flora had put her down in front of Soren by praising Poppy, nor was it the first time she’d suggested Evangeline should step aside and let Poppy have her place.

Evangeline was used to it by now.

Her silence didn’t go unnoticed by Soren.

He was used to her quiet, undemanding nature–never complaining, never making a scene, no matter how the Fawkes family criticized her or how disrespectful Flora became. She simply endured it all, quietly.

Helena, Soren’s mother, would often comment, “She might not be the perfect wife, but she’s certainly a dutiful daughter–in–law p>

Before Soren could dwell on it, a housekeeper appeared, relaying that his father wanted to see him in the study upstairs.

Soren headed for the stairs, leaving the room behind.

Flora, her mood instantly brightened, pulled Poppy onto the couch and began. chattering away, asking about her time abroad, what the food was like, whether she was settling in.

And Evangeline was left standing there, on the outside looking in.

She’d expected it, but that didn’t make it hurt any less.

She didn’t hate Flora. In fact, the first time they met, Evangeline had genuinely liked her–the innocence, the black–and–white way Flora saw the world, the way her family sheltered her.

In Flora, Evangeline saw a reflection of her younger self.

But over the years, tangled in complicated family ties and expectations, she’d lost sight of who she used to be. She treated Flora like a little sister, hoping for some comfort in return.

2/3

Chapter 3

Her kindness wasn’t just for Soren’s sake.

But Flora never believed her. She thought Evangeline was only trying to curry favor, hoping Flora would speak up for her to Soren.

Evangeline had always believed in treating others with sincerity, convinced that even the coldest heart could be warmed in time.

But Soren and Flora proved her wrong.

This time, she hadn’t gone out of her way to save up and buy gifts for Flora, only to have them tossed aside. Truth was, she could barely afford anything, so she bought a few small presents just for the grandmother who had always been kind to her.

After all, she and Flora were equals–there was never any real obligation to bring gifts for Flora in the first place.