Chapter 108
Honestly, she’d already worked everything out with her grandmother about tonight’s dinner. She never intended to invite Evangeline in the first place.
Poppy had something come up at the last minute and couldn’t make it, so she and her grandmother agreed: just a quiet meal with the Fawkes family, a quick discussion about Grandma’s upcoming birthday, then everyone could go their
separate ways.
With Poppy out, there was no reason for Evangeline to show up, either.
She’d even been firm about it, telling her grandmother flat–out that if Evangeline was coming, then she wouldn’t be there.
Her grandmother promised to respect that.
But when she arrived, she discovered Evangeline was still invited.
And, to her surprise, her brother Soren had agreed to it as well.
She was furious, but she couldn’t take it out on them, and storming out would only make her look childish.
Besides, this was her home. If anyone had to leave, it certainly shouldn’t be her.
Hearing the bitterness in Flora’s tone, Evangeline looked a bit lost, unsure how she’d managed to offend her again this time.
Before she could dwell on it, Old Mrs. Fawkes chuckled, “You’re not late at all, dear. You’ve arrived at just the right time.”
As if to prove her point, the chef emerged from the kitchen, carrying steaming dishes to the table.
The Fawkes family gathered around the round dining table as Old Mrs. Fawkes took her seat. Clyde settled to her left, with Helena beside him:
Without a second thought, Flora plopped herself down next to Helena.
Three seats remained.
Just like she always did, Evangeline slipped quietly into the seat to Old Mrs. Fawkes’s right.
In the past, Old Mrs. Fawkes would always insist that Soren sit next to Evangeline.
But this time, she said nothing–a rare occurrence.
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Chapter 100
Flora figured her grandmother was feeling a bit guilty for going back on her word.
Noticing that Soren hadn’t picked a seat yet, Flora waved him over deliberately. “Hey, Soren, sit next to me!”
She knew Soren preferred not to sit beside Evangeline. Since their grandmother hadn’t spoken, she’d make sure her brother was comfortable.
Soren glanced at Flora, hesitated for a moment, then, to everyone’s surprise, walked over and sat right next to Evangeline.
Flora’s hand hung in the air, her wave forgotten. “Wait, what?”
Had her brother lost his mind?
Evangeline herself hadn’t expected Soren to choose the seat beside her, not when he had such an easy out. For a moment, she looked astonished, but she didn’t say
a word, and neither did Soren.
Old Mrs. Fawkes, observing everything, kept her thoughts to herself.
She picked up a piece of roast and, just as she used to, placed it into Evangeline’s bowl, urging her to eat more.
At that moment, the housekeeper who’d looked after Old Mrs. Fawkes for years peered at Evangeline and exclaimed, “Oh my, Mrs. Fawkes, doesn’t she look like she’s put on a little weight?”
Old Mrs. Fawkes looked over, her eyes crinkling with delight. “She has, hasn’t she? It’s good for her–she finally looks like she’s got some meat on her bones.”
She gave Evangeline’s hand a gentle squeeze. “A little weight looks lovely on you, darling. You used to be all skin and bones.”
Hearing this, Flora couldn’t help but scrutinize Evangeline herself.
She stared for ages but couldn’t spot much difference.
Sure, Evangeline looked even prettier than before, but as for being fatter or thinner… Flora really couldn’t tell. And she had no idea how her grandmother and the
housekeeper could notice these things.
Not that it mattered anyway. Whether Evangeline was thin or curvier, it wouldn’t change anything.
Her brother still didn’t like her.
That thought made Flora glance over at Soren.
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Chapter 108
To her surprise, Soren’s gaze was fixed on Evangeline, and unlike before, he didn’t just look away after a second.
His eyes traveled down from Evangeline’s face to her ankles, as if he’d been
studying her ever since dinner began.
And it was true–compared to the fragile, willowy girl she’d been, Evangeline did look a bit fuller now.
People always said women put on weight after they’d been pregnant.
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