Chapter 391

But her tone was calm, all business, a stark contrast to how she’d been moments before.

Soren couldn’t help but scoff inwardly.

We.

The “we” she’d just used meant her and Finn.

That made him the outsider.

It made sense.

With a broken leg, he was probably just a burden she was eager to be rid of.

Pushing down the surge of emotion, Soren managed a light “Oh,” and added with a sneer, “Then you two go ahead. I’ll stay here and wait for rescue p>

“Good luck to you both p>

Evangeline couldn’t possibly miss the bite in his words.

But she had no idea what had set Soren off so early in the morning. With a sigh of resignation, she repeated what she’d just said, telling him that rescue would be difficult in this area.

Soren either wasn’t listening or didn’t believe her.

He crossed his arms and said coldly, “The Fawkes family will find me. You two go on. Don’t worry about me p>

Evangeline felt helpless.

Just as she was about to say more, Finn spoke up. “Why don’t you step outside? I’ll have a word with Mr. Fawkes p>

Evangeline had no idea what Finn said to Soren, but a few minutes later, Soren emerged with a dark expression, using a thick branch as a crutch and limping heavily.

Even with his injured leg, he maintained that air of noble, cold indifference.

Evangeline didn’t ask what had talked about. She gathered the wild fruits they had picked and anything else that might be useful, then pulled out the simple travois they’d fashioned from vines.

The four wheels of the travois were made from hollowed-out sections of thick branches, and the bed itself was a simple, rough platform of branches lashed together. It was crude, but it was strong enough to carry a grown man.

Evangeline had thought of making it the night Finn was sick, worried he would slow her down and planning to pull him out.

Now, with Soren’s broken leg, it had found its use.

“You can’t walk for long on that leg. If you can’t manage, lie down here,” Evangeline told him.

Soren glanced at the travois with a look of disdain.

Never mind how uncomfortable it would be; the idea of being dragged around like some invalid was something he would never accept.

Two hours later, Soren lay sullenly on the travois while Evangeline and Finn took turns pulling.

Three hours later, Soren’s expression had softened slightly.

Four hours later, Soren was lounging comfortably, barking orders at Evangeline. “Evangeline, slow down! It’s too bumpy. You’re going to scramble my brains p>

Evangeline was already panting with exhaustion.

His words made her fists clench.

“If it’s so easy, why don’t you get up and walk yourself!” Evangeline snapped.

Even with wheels, the travois was shoddily made, nothing like a hospital gurney. On the uneven, pitted ground, pulling it required immense effort.

“I think I reinjured my leg when I was walking earlier,” Soren said nonchalantly. “I can’t move around. I can’t walk p>

Evangeline was speechless. She shouldn’t have convinced him to come along.

When had he become so shameless?

It was obvious-being with Poppy had changed his character completely.

Finn stopped. “Let’s rest for a bit and have something to eat p>

“I’ll go find some water nearby p>

Taking a bamboo tube for water, Finn headed towards the lake, leaving Evangeline and Soren alone.

Seeing the sweat beaded on Evangeline’s forehead Soren pulled a handkerchief from his pocket just as he was about to offer it to her, she wiped her face with her sleeve.

Her sleeve was a little dirty, and she smudged some dirt onto her face.

Soren paused, then, on some strange impulse, changed direction, intending to wipe it for her.

But before he could touch her, Evangeline saw his hand moving and instinctively flinched away. “What are you doing?” she asked warily.

Her wary, suspicious gaze stung Soren.

His hand froze in mid-air. He finally feigned casualness and tossed the handkerchief to her. “Your face is dirty p>

Evangeline was skeptical but didn’t take his handkerchief. She used the back of her hand to wipe the spot he hadvaguely indicated. Seeing the

dirt, she said distantly, Oh, thanks p>

The atmosphere grew strangely delicate.

It wasn’t obvious when Finn was there, but now Evangeline realized she felt a bit

uncomfortable being alone with Soren.

Though they had agreed on a

divorce, she had been the one tonet

unilaterally cancel itt hadn’t exactly

an

bicable split, and now

things were undeniably awkward.

She had planned to remain silent until Finn returned, but after a moment, she heard

Soren speak.

“The evidence about Poppy on your phone… is it real p>