In Adeline''s mind, Effie had always been the sort of girl from a modest


    background-in, unremarkable, and utterlycking in ss.


    Yet now, with Suzan standing beside her as a ring contrast, Adeline found herself surprisingly at ease with Effie.


    Was there truth, after all, to the saying that money changes people?


    Of course! Effie had changed because she was with Lyman now, living off his wealth. That had to be it. Lyman''s money had polished her rough edges.


    Yes, that must be it!


    Effie and Lindy, meanwhile, had both noticed Adeline''s lingering gaze.


    Lindy leaned over to Effie, keeping her voice low. "She keeps staring at you. Is it making you ufortable? If you''d rather leave, we can go."


    Effie gave a small, unbothered smile. "Mom, it''s fine. I''ve got nothing to do with her anymore anyway. If she wants to stare, let her. I don''t care. If I get up and walk away now, she''ll just think I''m afraid of her."


    Lindy considered this, then nodded. "All right. Whatever you want."


    She nced back at Adeline, then added, "Honestly, I think she regrets it. She must be kicking herself for losing such a wonderful daughter-inw."


    Effie gave a quietugh. "Not a chance. People like her-even if they do regret it -would never let it show."


    Effie knew full well that Adeline and Mitchell were cut from the same cloth: too proud to admit even the smallest mistake, even if it meant making themselves miserable.


    Lindy and Effie continued to enjoy their soufflé when someone approached their table.


    "Mrs. Etheridge, this is..."


    Lindy smiled graciously, wrapping an arm around Effie''s shoulders. "This is my daughter-inw, Effie."


    The woman smiled, her gaze lingering on Effie. "Miss Bagnold, you muste from such a distinguished family. So elegant, so poised."


    Effie returned the smile, her tone warm. "Oh, I''m from a perfectly ordinary background."


    "Oh, really? Well, your parents must have raised you well."


    Effie shook her head gently. "I lost my father when I was very young, but my mom


    took wonderful care of me. And my grandparents doted on me, too."


    The woman looked a bit embarrassed, as if she had stumbled into a conversational trap.


    Lindy quickly stepped in, her pride evident. "Effie''s just being modest. Her grandfather is Professor Clyde Spencer, from Neo-Arcadia University."


    "Professor Spencer? I''ve heard of him!"


    After a few pleasantries, the woman excused herself and moved on.


    All the while, Adeline had been eavesdropping, catching every word of their conversation from across the room.


    When she got home, Adeline found Mitchell slumped on the couch, a shadow of his usual self.


    Thepany had taken a bad hit,


    ??


    and he''de home to ask for money. But his request had been tly rejected, and he''d gotten a tongushing for his trouble. Now, he was drowning his sorrows in alcohol again.


    A wave of helplessness washed over Adeline. She couldn''t help but think that life had only been good for


    Mitchell after he''d gotten together with Effie.


    If only he were still with her... Would things have turned out differently?


    Adeline shook her head, trying to banish the thought. She couldn''t go down that road. Regret would only eat her alive.


    But in the end, she couldn''t help herself. "Mitchell, why didn''t you ever tell me Effie''s grandfather was Clyde?"


    Mitchell''s eyes, zed from drink, held a flicker of confusion. "Clyde? Who''s that?"


    Adeline sighed and shook her head. She''d only found out by searching online herself-she shouldn''t have expected any better from Mitchell.


    "He''s a professor at Neo-Arcadia University. Pretty well-known, actually."


    Mitchell shrugged. "I knew he was a teacher, but where or what, I never really asked."


    Adeline nodded, disappointment settling over her like a heavy nket.