When she heard his answer, Evangeline finally understood.
He truly had no idea they’d already signed the divorce papers, that soon they’d have their official decree in hand.
He even assumed she’d still do things for the Whitmore family.
Evangeline let out a bitter, self–mocking smile.
Just like all these years of marriage–she shouldered the pain alone, wrestled with doubts alone.
Soren knew nothing of it. Or maybe, he simply didn’t care.
Sometimes she’d wondered if there was some misunderstanding between them.
But now she realized: what people call a “misunderstanding” is just another word for indifference.
If he truly cared, he would have noticed the rift between her and the Whitmores all these years. He would have known she’d never help them.
Maybe then, when she handed him those papers, he would have looked more closely–he would have realized it was a divorce agreement, not just some document.
But there was no point explaining anymore.
Waiting for Soren was like waiting for a ship at the airport.
Maybe neither of them was really at fault, but they were never on the same page–never even in the same story.
Soren seemed to sense something was wrong. He stopped talking and looked at her, puzzled. “Why are you bringing up these pointless things now?”
Evangeline only smiled and shook her head. “You’re right, it doesn’t matter.”
Five years of marriage, and none of it mattered.
Even this divorce–meaningless to him.
She said nothing more, just turned and went back to her room.
Her phone buzzed again: another friend request from Poppy.
This time, Evangeline accepted.
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As soon as she did, she sent Poppy a text.
[Soren is here.]
Poppy had always wanted Soren for herself.
If she knew where he was, she’d find a way to get him back. And Soren would always listen to her.
For years, Evangeline had tried every way to make him stay. But all it took was a single call or text from Poppy, and Soren was gone.
It used to break her heart every time.
But tonight, it made things easier.
Soren sensed there was something behind her words, but couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
He watched her retreating figure, lost in a fog of uncertainty, feeling she was hiding something.
He stepped forward, about to open the door and ask her outright–when his phone.
rang.
Evangeline, in the bedroom, heard the ringtone.
She couldn’t hear the conversation, but Soren’s voice was low and serious: “Okay, I understand. I’ll be right there.”
Moments later, she heard his footsteps fading away.
Less than half a minute passed before the front door opened and closed.
She didn’t even need to look to know Soren had left.
Scenes like this had played out hundreds of times over the past five years. Every time, her heart ached. But tonight, she felt nothing but calm.
Soren drove back to the Fawkes estate.
On the way, his phone rang again. It was Poppy.
She was still thinking about the text Evangeline had sent her, unsettled by it, though she kept her voice soft and sweet: “Soren, where are you now? I wanted to update you on the project.”
Soren glanced at the clock, frowning slightly. “It’s late. You’re still at the office?”
Poppy replied, “This is the first project you’ve entrusted to me–I can’t let
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Did you make it back to the house? Maybe I could stop by?”
“Not tonight,” Soren said, checking the time again. “My grandmother’s birthday is coming up, so I need to head back to the Fawkes estate. You should get some rest–it’s late.”
Poppy just smiled softly. “Helping you is never a burden.”
“If there’s anything your grandmother needs help with, let me know,” she added. “I’d love to do something for her too.”
Chapter 149
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