Unfortunately, Old Mrs. Fawkes was Soren’s biological grandmother, but with her and Soren about to divorce, Evangeline knew she might never return to the Fawkes family once it was over.
A bitter ache settled in her heart, but she refused to let Old Mrs. Fawkes worry on her behalf.
Besides, Soren had said he didn’t want anyone in the Fawkes family to know about the divorce–at least, not until everything was settled.
Evangeline shook her head.
She was just about to say something when Soren and Clyde came down the stairs.
Soren’s voice was cool, tinged with exasperation. “Grandma, sometimes I really wonder–am I your grandson, or is she your granddaughter?”
Old Mrs. Fawkes gave him a sharp look. “You are my grandson, but Evangeline is my granddaughter too.”
Soren could only sigh inwardly.
Just let it go.
Evangeline was already so spoiled she could practically walk all over him.
But with Grandma as the elder, he couldn’t say a word in protest.
Poppy, who had been tense and awkward, finally relaxed a little when she saw” Soren. She edged closer to Flora, turning toward the door. “Soren, I won’t intrude. You all carry on–I’ll see myself out.”
#
“Don’t go, Poppy,” Flora said quickly, grabbing her arm.
Soren added, “Stay for dinner with us.”
Poppy looked uncomfortable. “I really shouldn’t. This is a family dinner, after all. I’m just an outsider–I don’t belong here.”
Soren frowned. “Who says you’re an outsider? Who says it’s inappropriate?”
Poppy glanced toward Grandma and Evangeline, then quickly shook her head. “No one said it–I just feel that way.”
Soren’s brow furrowed deeper. He glanced in the direction Poppy had just looked–only to meet Evangeline’s gaze.
So, Evangeline played the sweet, obedient wife when he was around, but the moment he wasn’t, she’d seize the chance to make things difficult for Poppy?
Putting on one face for him and another when his back was turned–she’d really mastered the act.
The thought made him shoot Evangeline a cold, accusatory look.
Evangeline blinked, confused, “?”
Old Mrs. Fawkes caught Soren’s little drama and stepped forward. “I’m the one who said it. What’s the problem? Am I wrong?”
She knew exactly what kind of person Poppy was.
Yet both her grandson and granddaughter were so easily swayed, letting
themselves be wrapped around that woman’s little finger..
Soren didn’t buy that it was Grandma’s doing, but he still said, “Grandma, Poppy is my friend. I brought her here. It wouldn’t feel right to just let her leave.”
“Wouldn’t feel right?” Old Mrs. Fawkes let out a cold laugh. “And bringing her here to fawn over her makes it better?”
Soren was speechless. “Grandma, that’s not fair.”
Old Mrs. Fawkes scoffed, “If it sounds harsh, maybe you shouldn’t have done it in -the first place.”
The tension between grandmother and grandson seemed to be over Poppy, but anyone with eyes could see Old Mrs. Fawkes was only standing up for Evangeline.
Clyde couldn’t bear it any longer and stepped in. “Come on, Mom, there’s no point arguing with the kids. Let them figure it out for themselves.”
Helena nodded in agreement.
Old Mrs. Fawkes was still upset, but it dawned on her that Clyde was right.
All these years, she’d watched Evangeline suffer after marrying Soren. She’d tried to
help, tried to broker peace, but things always seemed to go wrong.
The more she hurt for Evangeline, the more she favored her, while Soren only
seemed to grow more defiant, taking his frustrations out on his wife.
Sometimes she wondered if she should just stay out of it.
But if she didn’t stand up for Evangeline, who would?
Chapter 37
Her husband, who had already turned his heart to another woman? Her biological father, who barely cared? That stepmother?
The thought made her ache with helpless sorrow.
Evangeline caught her look and saw the sadness in her eyes. She smiled softly,
gently patting Old Mrs. Fawkes’s hand. “It’s all right, Grandma. I came today to say goodbye.”
Chapter 38
