When Helena spoke, the smile on Poppy’s face faltered for a split second.
Evangeline pressed her lips together, saying nothing.
Helena’s words certainly sounded like she was acknowledging Evangeline’s place in the Fawkes family, but Evangeline knew better. Helena wasn’t defending her, she was just using her as a pawn.
Sure enough, Flora immediately shot Helena a look of protest. “Mom, Poppy isn’t just a quest,” she insisted. “You know, she treats me even better than my own sister–in–law ever has.”
She threw Evangeline a pointed glare, still clearly holding a grudge over the earlier gift situation.
This time, Evangeline didn’t bother to explain. She knew if she said Soren never gave her any money, Flora would only press further: If he didn’t, then where had Evangeline gotten money all these years without a job? How did she buy those gifts before? And even if she revealed the real source of her funds, Flora probably wouldn’t believe her–instead, it would just make Helena even more displeased.
The marriage was ending anyway. Evangeline didn’t see the point in stirring up more drama.
She helped Helena settle onto the couch, quietly attentive.
Flora glanced at the lone gift bag next to where Evangeline had just been sitting. Since it obviously wasn’t for her, it must be for her mother.
“So that’s for Mom, right? Let me see what you got her,” Flora said, reaching for the bag.
Evangeline quickly stepped in front of her. “That’s for Gran,” she said calmly.
She simply didn’t have the means to buy gifts for everyone. In the past, Flora always tossed her presents into the closet, and Helena never even bothered to unwrap them–she just stashed them away in storage. Only Gran would accept her gifts, and actually use them.
So this time, Evangeline had brought a present for Gran alone.
Flora’s eyes widened. “So you didn’t get me anything, fine, but you didn’t even get a gift for my mom?” /
“Bath &
Funapter 94
Despite her scolding, Flora was secretly pleased. Not only was she no longer the only one left out, but Evangeline’s obvious faux pas gave her a twisted sense of satisfaction. The worse Evangeline looked in front of their mother, the more it made Poppy shine by comparison.
She glanced at Helena, unable to hide her smugness.
Sure enough, when Helena realized the only gift was for Gran and not herself, her expression soured slightly. But she wasn’t about to start a scene over a single gift. She kept her tone even. “At least you remembered Gran. That’s something.”
Flora couldn’t resist stoking the fire. “If you really cared, you’d have gotten gifts for both Mom and Gran. Playing favorites isn’t very thoughtful, is it?”
With that, she plopped down beside Helena and brightened. “Never mind, Mom. Ignore her. Take a look at the gift Poppy brought you!”
She eagerly unwrapped the present, holding it up for Helena to see.
Helena ran her hand over the dress–luxurious fabric, unique design. She checked the label at the hem and noticed a name intricately stitched in fine thread: a well–known European designer.
It was clear Poppy had put real effort into this.
But in the end, it wasn’t really about the gift. What mattered was that Poppy, with her thoughtful gestures, was simply more likable than Evangeline.
Helena’s mood softened as she gazed at the dress, and Flora seized the moment. “Poppy went out of her way to find out what styles you like, Mom. She really cares. Helena couldn’t help but relent a little. It was hard to be harsh in the face of such obvious goodwill. She looked at Poppy, her expression gentler. “Thank you, dear.”
Poppy smiled graciously. “It’s nothing, really.”
Flora, delighted to see her mother so pleased, pulled Poppy down to sit beside them and started telling Helena all about what Poppy had been up to lately.
Her intention to exclude Evangeline couldn’t have been clearer.
And sure enough, when Flora looked up again, she saw Evangeline sitting alone or the other end of the room, head bowed over her phone, quietly fading into the background.
Chapter 35
