Flora had assumed Soren would be just as furious as she was and agree to her suggestion without hesitation. 

But instead, there was a pause on the other end of the line. Then Soren’s voice came through, cold and stern, “Flora, let me repeat myself. She’s your sister–in–law. Whether or not I divorce her is my decision to make, not yours.” 

Flora was left speechless, gaping at her phone. 

“And another thing,” Soren continued, his tone sharp, “Didn’t anyone in the Fawkes family ever teach you? Marriage isn’t some game, and it’s not a tool for scaring people into submission.” 

“If you keep trying to talk me into getting a divorce, I’ll tell Grandma and let her set you straight.” 

Flora could only sputter, “You’ve changed, Soren.” 

“That’s right. I’m busier than ever. No time for this. Goodbye.” 

Before she could respond, he hung up. 

Soren stood on the balcony, phone still in hand, staring down at the engagement ring between his fingers. His dark eyes were unfocused, lost in thought. 

He was trying to figure out how to finally give the ring to Evangeline. No matter how he imagined it, though, every scenario felt awkward and forced. 

They’d been married for five years. He hadn’t even given her the ring on their wedding day, and now he was thinking of handing it over just because she’d accepted another man’s proposal. It felt too much like conceding defeat. 

But if he didn’t give her the ring… 

His mind flashed to the diamond ring on her middle finger–the one Glenn had given her. Then Flora’s words echoed in his head: Evangeline must like Glenn too. He knew Evangeline had probably said that out of anger, but the thought still gnawed at him, filling him with irritation he couldn’t shake. 

After Flora hung up, she let out a heavy sigh and stared up at the ceiling in exasperation. 

This was bad. Really bad. 

1/3 

Chapter 187 

Her brother was completely under Evangeline’s spell. 

He’d never been this cold to her before–not when she’d tattled on someone, not 

ever. 

Frustrated, Flora ran her fingers through her hair, then stormed off to the hotel’s lounge. 

Inside, Poppy Yates was touching up her lipstick. She glanced up at Flora’s stormy face, her eyes flickering with interest before she stood and offered a warm smile. “What’s wrong? Who’s managed to upset our Flora?” 

“Who else but Evangeline?” Flora snapped, every mention of the name fueling her anger. “She doesn’t even bother pretending to be a good sister–in–law anymore. She used to at least act polite–if I so much as frowned, she’d rush over to soothe me 

like it was a crisis.” 

“But now, it’s like she’s going out of her way to get under my skin.” 

Poppy paused at the word “sister–in–law.” In all their conversations, she couldn’t remember Flora ever calling Evangeline that before. In fact, it seemed Flora had never truly accepted Evangeline as family. 

But Flora always insisted she had. 

Poppy quickly masked her surprise, pretending not to notice the contradiction. “What happened, anyway?” 

So Flora launched into her rant, recounting the call with Soren, her anger mounting as she went. “She’s already married to my brother and still chasing after other men! And the worst part is, my brother won’t even consider divorce. Instead, he lectures me for it!” 

She recounted every detail of the call with Soren, her frustration plain. 

As soon as Poppy heard that Soren wasn’t planning a divorce, her smile froze, and she absentmindedly traced the diamond ring on her own finger. 

So it was true. The ring Soren bought after all this time–it was for Evangeline. 

Taking her to choose rings as a gift had just been a cover. The one he truly intended for was Evangeline. 

Five years together, and Soren had finally fallen for her. 

Flora noticed Poppy’s sudden silence and realized she’d said too much. Flustered, she rushed to explain, “Poppy, my brother’s just bewitched by Evangeline, that’s all. 

He doesn’t really love her. Honestly, Evangeline has even drugged me before!” 

2:2 

17-551 

Flora went on to describe how, on Valentine’s Day, Evangeline had slipped something into her drink, then pretended to be concerned and took her to the 

hospital with the antidote.