365 Still In Progress
Evelyn smiled at her reaction. “I flew to Grayenfall with Axel immediately. That’s where I met him.“@
“Him?” Ste echoed.
“Finley Morgan,” Evelyn said. “You already know he is my uncle, right? And his father, Theodor Morgan, is my grandmother’s twin sister.”
Ste leaned back into the sofa as if she’d been hit by an invisible force.
“Unbelievable, sis… Your mother came from <i>that </i>family? The Morgan family… The <i>‘</i><i>royalty </i>of the military and political world‘ Morgans!”
Evelyn chuckled softly. “Yes. Believe me, I made the same face when I found out.”
Alicia shook her head slowly, still trying to process it. “All these years… Madison’s roots were right there… and we never knew.”
Ste suddenly straightened, her hands sped excitedly,
“Sis. First, you marry a Knight. Now you’re a Morgan by blood. What’s next? Are you secretly the lost heir to a secret throne?”
Evelynughed, covering her mouth. “If that happens, I’ll let you be my royal advisor.”
“I ept the position,” Ste dered immediately.
Even Alicia chuckled, shaking her head fondly.
But then Evelyn’s smile softened. Her eyes dimmed just slightly.
“When I had my ident,” she said quietly, “I had just visited their house. That’s why I don’t have time to tell you about this.”
Theughter faded instantly.
Alicia’s expression softened. Ste reached for Evelyn’s hand.
Evelyn didn’t cry. She didn’t break. But the memory of trembling metal, shattered ss, and the loss that followed flickered briefly in her eyes.
“I wanted to tell you both after I recovered more,” Evelyn said. “I didn’t want you to worry.”
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365 Still In Progress‘
Ste swallowed. Then, with deliberate force, she snapped her fingers. “Alright. Enough. No sad air allowed.”
Alicia nodded firmly. “She’s right. That part is over. You’re here. You’re healing. And you have a family that just doubled overnight.”
Ste leaned closer, grinning. “And now I can proudly tell people my sister is a Knight, married into royalty, and born from royalty. I will never shut up about this.”
Evelyn rolled her eyes fondly. “Please don’t start introducing me like I’m a museum
exhibit.”
“No promises,” Ste whispered mischievously.
Alicia smiled, warm and steady. “No matter what bloodline youe from, Evelyn, you will always be my daughter.”
Evelyn’s throat tightened slightly. She smiled at her, feeling her heart warm. “Thank you, Alice…Mom.”
They keep talking, but this time it’s just Ste and Evelyn in the living room, since Alicia left to look for Oliver.
Ste tilted her head when she saw Evelyn stifle another yawn.
“Sis, are you sleepy?” she asked, though the answer was obvious. “Come on. Let me walk you to your bedroom before you copse, and my brother–inw will scold me.”
Evelyn waved a hand dismissively.
“No, Ste. I cannot sleep right now. I need to be present before they leave.” Her eyes flicked toward Axel’s home office down the hall.
Evelyn did not say it aloud, but worry sat quietly in her chest. Axel and the others had been inside that room for over an hour.
“Geez. You are <i>so </i>stubborn,” Ste muttered, leaning back on the sofa. “They will understand if you rest. You are not fully healed.”
Evelyn turned back to her with a soft smile. “Stop worrying about me, I am fine.” Smoothly, she changed the conversation. “Alright. Now tell me about you.”
“About me?” Ste blinked. “You mean my chaotic internship in the emergency room
or-”
“Your rtionship with Dn,” Evelyn cut in sweetly.
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<365 Still In Progress‘
“Cough! Cough!”
Ste erupted into a coughing fit, pping her chest as she had just inhaled water instead of air.
Evelyn leaned back, amused. “Tsk, tsk. Why are you coughing? Did my question strike a vital organ?”
Ste raised her index finger and waved it side to side, as if denying a crime she had notmitted.
But when Ste met Evelyn’s narrowed eyes as ifher sister were about to tease her, she panicked.
“Please do not tease me,” Ste said quickly. “There is nothing wrong between Dn and me. We are not dating.”
Evelyn’s lips twitched.
“Silly Ste. I did not say you were dating him. I asked about your rtionship with him. Rtionships as friends, as neighbors…”
Ste froze.
Her mind instantly turned into a courtroom. ‘Why did I answer so fast? Too defensive. Too suspicious. Too obvious. My sis will record this conversation and y it at my wedding someday, right? No. I must shut this topic down immediately.’
“So,” Evelyn continued casually, “are you two already dating or not?”
Ste snapped from her own thoughts. She looked her in the eyes, “No. We are not dating.”
“But why are you blushing?<i>” </i>Evelyn asked lightly.
“I am not blushing,” Ste protested, even as her cheeks betrayed her loyalty.
“Don’t lie, little sis…”
“I’m serious. We are really not dating,” Ste insisted, shrugging. “Ugh, well, we are not yet dating. You can ask him if you-” She stopped.
Ste feels as if her soul left her body for a brief moment. ‘Not YET dating? Not YET?”
She silently prayed that Evelyn had not heard that particr phrase.
But when she looked up, Evelyn was smiling. Not teasing. Not mocking. Just a knowing,
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365 Still In Progress‘
warm smile. The kind that said, “I heard everything…”
Evelyn reached out and patted Ste’s shoulder gently. “Yet!?” she repeated softly. “That means it’s not a no, but it is something that is still in progress. Right, sis?”
Ste opened her mouth, then closed it again. No words were safe in this conversation.
Evelyn leaned closer, lowering her voice as if sharing sacred wisdom. “Little sis, do not wait too long. He is no longer as young as you.”
Ste stared at her in disbelief.
“He is thirty–seven,” Ste deadpanned. “Not a retired man with a grandson.”
Evelynughed quietly. “Still. Opportunity does not wait forever.”
‘Heaven, Ste thought. ‘My silly sister turns every sentence into prophecy.‘
She was preparing a passionate rebuttal when the door of Axel’s office finally opened.
Finley stepped out first, lookingposed as always. Theodor followed, thoughtful. And Nichs walkedst, his cane tapping softly against the floor.
Axel came out behind them, one hand still on the doorframe, his expression calm but
decisive.
Ste exhaled in relief. Saved by the elders.
‘Heaven, thank you, she prayed silently.
She quickly stood and offered Evelyn her hand. “Come. They are about to leave<b>.” </b>
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<strong>Olivia Harris</strong> is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.