Chapter 326
In her apartment, Evangeline, wrapped in a blanket, let out a loud sneeze.
Just then, Linda and Tabitha pushed open her bedroom door. Tabitha was carrying a steaming bowl of herbal soup.
“Evangeline, drink this while it’s hot. It’ll help you sweat out the cold p>
Linda came over and felt Evangeline’s forehead. “Good, no fever yet. It’s just a cold p>
She then tightened the blanket around Evangeline’s shoulders, tucking her in more securely.
A warmth spread through Evangeline, not just from the blanket, but from within.
She’d caught a chill after coming back from the cruise. She had planned to just tough it out and get some medicine in the morning, but Tabitha had noticed how pale she looked. The moment she found out Evangeline was sick, she’d rushed downstairs in the middle of the night to get cold medicine for her.
Linda had filled a hot water bottle for her stomach, and Tabitha had stuck warming patches on her back. When her cough got worse, they didn’t get annoyed; they just went to the kitchen and brewed a soothing herbal tea.
It was a strange feeling, this long-forgotten warmth of being cared for.
Soren had never shown her such concern. She, in turn, had always tried not to be a burden to him, suffering through illnesses in silence. On the rare occasions she was too sick to hide it, he would spare her a single glance and suggest she go to the hospital. Sensing his impatience, she learned to handle things on her own, going to the doctor by herself whenever she needed to.
Once, Theresa had been there to look after her. But after she left, Evangeline had been utterly alone, so much so that she’d forgotten what friendship even felt like.
Seeing Evangeline hesitate, Tabitha assumed she disliked the taste. “I know it doesn’t taste great, but it’s really good for fighting off a chill. You’ll feel better much faster p>
“And I brought candy,” Linda added, pulling a handful of gummies from her pocket. “Just pinch your nose, drink it all in one go, and pop a candy in your mouth right after. You won’t even taste it. That’s what I always do p>
Evangeline looked at their concerned faces and said nothing more. She took the bowl and drank the bitter liquid. Linda immediately pressed a gummy into her mouth.
“See? Sweet, right p>
Evangeline nodded. “Yes, very sweet p>
Linda beamed.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Linda and Tabitha exchanged a look.
“That’s probably my food delivery,” Linda said, getting up and heading downstairs.
When she returned, her arms were laden with bags of snacks and fruit-all of Evangeline’s favorites.
“You need to eat more when you’re sick to keep your energy up,” she declared.
Tabitha nodded in agreement.
“Did Finn send these?” Evangeline asked.
Linda, who was busy unpacking a
carton of strawberries froze et
and Pabitha shot each other a look
Sontent belongs to net
“Finn? Who’s Finn? What are you talking about?” Linda said with exaggerated innocence, frantically trying to figure out where shed slipped up. Firm had been very clear when he’d hired them: don’t reveal your identities, just be Evangeline’s friends.
*Don’t reveal it yourself… but what if she figures it out? Does that count p>
As she scrambled for a cover story
Evangeline seemed to drop the et
subject. Maybe Twas just imagining things,” she said.
“By the way, Linda, you must have spent a lot on all this. Let me know the total so we can split it p>