The hospital room was <b>quiet</b>.
Liam was still regaling Poppy with stories about Soren’s cold indifference toward Evangeline during the years she’d been away.-
“One year, Evangeline threatened to end her life–sent Soren a photo of her shed wrists,” he said, voice full of drama. “You’ll never guess what he did.”
Poppy looked at him, eyes wide.
“Soren didn’t even blink. He went straight home, dragged her out, and tossed her onto the porch. Told her, if you want to die, do it outside–don’t dirty the house.”
Liam shook his head, half amused, half pitying. He’d only ever heard the story secondhand, but the details stuck.
“They said it was freezing that night, well below zero. Evangeline was left out there, shivering so hard she could barely stand, her blood practically frozen.”
Liam couldn’t help butugh, though there was something sad in it too.
“His attitude toward her couldn’t be clearer. Now look at how he is with you, Poppy. When you were overseas and came down with a fever, Soren nearly-”
‘That’s enough. You talk too much,” Soren cut in, his tone cold, not waiting for Liam to finish.
Liam rolled his eyes. “Oh,e on. Embarrassed, are we?”
He turned to Poppy, teasing, “Did you hear that, Poppy? Soren’s threatening me now. Are you going to let him get away with that?”
Poppy just covered her mouth to stifle augh.
Soren felt a strange knot tighten in his chest–an emotion he couldn’t quite name.
Just then, Liam’s phone buzzed. He’d finished sorting the paperwork for a privat room. Without another word, Soren grabbed the forms and strode out to handle the admission.
Liam watched him go, quirking an eyebrow at Poppy as Soren’s back disappeared down the hall. He lowered his voice, “See? If it’s got anything to do with you, Soren’s more invested than anyone.”
He kept his voice low enough that Soren couldn’t hear.
Chaptert:
Downstairs, Soren paid the bills and made sure Poppy <b>got </b>a quiet<b>, </bfortable room. But as he finished, thoughts of Evangeline crept back in.
He pulled out his phone. That’s when he saw the missed call and a text <b>message </b>from Evangeline.
[Hello, this is Dr. Smith from Leigh Memorial Hospital. We’ve tried calling several times. Evangeline was in a car ident and urgently needs consent for surgery<b>. </b>Pleasee to the hospital as soon as possible!]
Leigh Memorial Hospital.
The very hospital he was standing in.
Soren went quiet for a moment, Liam’s words echoing in his mind. He remembered after the suicide attempt, Evangeline really had changed. Once, she would call him over and over, never tiring, buttely, she barely–reached out at all. Sometimes he’d stay out all night, and she wouldn’t even call to check if he was alive.
It was odd, now that he thought about it.
On impulse, Soren dialed her number.
Evangeline was sitting up in her hospital bed, having just finished a call with herwyer about the divorce. When Soren’s name shed on her phone, she froze.
She’d steeled herself for a day of silence, certain Soren wouldn’t contact her–he never did when Poppy was around. His attention would be glued to Poppy, oblivious to anyone else.
She hesitated, then answered.
For a second, neither of them spoke. Soren felt his own irritation re–of course, this was just another of Evangeline’s games. ying coy to get his attention. And yet, here he was, falling for it again.
But it was toote to hang up now.
He forced his voice steady, cold. “Where are you?”
“The hospital,” Evangeline replied, her tone honest and calm.
He scoffed. Figures.
Her voice was strong–nothing like someone on death’s door from a car ident.
“I heard you were in a crash. How are you feeling?” he asked, voice as t and
21:02
emotionless as ever.
Evangeline was caught off guard. Was he… worried about her? He’d never shown. concern for her health before, never called just to check in.
For a moment, the whole thing felt surreal. Her vision blurred and her chest tightened, as if a stone was lodged there. Without thinking, her hand drifted to her stomach.
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