After examining Flora, the doctor found she still had a bit of a fever, so he arranged a hospital room for her and put her on an IV drip.


    By the end of this chaotic ordeal, daylight was breaking outside.


    Evangeline was exhausted too, but she forced herself to head downstairs and bought some breakfast from the hospital café, then brought it up to Flora’s room.


    “I’ve already messaged your mom,” Evangeline said as she set the food down. “She’lle pick you up when she wakes up. I didn’t mention the medication you tookst night–whether you want to tell her is up to you. If you’re alright now, I’ll


    head out.”


    “Wait,” Flora called out.


    Evangeline paused at the door, unsure what else Flora wanted.


    ????


    After nearly a sleepless night, Evangeline’s face looked pale and drawn. Flora was momentarily startled by the coldness in her expression.


    Evangeline had always been gentle and smiling in front of her. This was the first time Flora had seen impatience flicker across her face.


    Already drained from the night’s ordeal, Flora shrank under Evangeline’s gaze, her bravado evaporating. She didn’t even dare to try her usual threats; instead, she bit her lip and said in a small, wounded voice, “Can you stay with me a little longer?


    I’m scared…”


    As if afraid Evangeline would refuse, Flora reached out, tugging at her sleeve. “Please, Evangeline…”


    That special form of address–almost a plea–only ever surfaced when Floral needed help.


    Evangeline couldn’t bring herself to say no. She sat down beside the bed.


    Flora wanted to ask about the friend who’d brought the medicinest night. Through her feverish haze, she thought she’d seen Glenn. Then again, she figured she’d been delirious–Glenn was all she could think abouttely, and she doubted Evangeline even knew him.


    She swallowed her question and instead asked quietly, “Why do you think this happened to me?”


    She truly didn’t understand; none of this made sense.


    Evangeline didn’t know much about these things either<b>, </b>but based on her own experience, she replied, “From the way you werest night, it looks like someone drugged you. Did you eat or drink anything unusual?”


    Flora’s mind worked backwards, tracing her steps. “I had dinner Poppy cooked, some melon Macy sliced, oranges she peeled, milk, water… Everything I ate or drank was at my brother’s ce.”


    With Soren keeping an eye on things, there was no way Macy would try anything, and Poppy had eaten the same food as everyone else. If something were wrong with the food, Soren would’ve found out right away.


    “Anything else?” Evangeline pressed.


    Flora shook her head. Then she hesitated.


    She’d shared a ss of wine with Poppy.


    Now that she thought about it, the wine seemed the most suspicious.


    But almost as soon as the thought crossed her mind, she shook her head to dismiss it. Poppy had no reason to harm her.


    Yet she couldn’t think of any other exnation.


    Evangeline could tell Flora was holding something back, but since she didn’t seem ready to talk, Evangeline decided not to push.


    A whileter, Helena called back. Evangeline exined the situation and gave her the hospital’s address.


    Since Helena was on her way, Evangeline didn’t stay any longer. With the morning already well underway, she skipped going home and headed straight to the office.


    After Evangeline left, Flora kept reying the night’s events, trying to figure out how she could have been drugged.


    A nurse came in to remove her IV and said, “You’re recovering well. That girl who was just here–who is she to you?”


    <i>mys </i>


    Flora replied without thinking, “She’s my sister–inw.”


    “Oh, your sister–inw already paid your bill. Once you’re rested, you’re free to go,” the nurse said before leaving the room.


    Flora sat there stunned, unable to react.


    Why did she actually feel like Evangeline really was her sister–inw?


    <b>2/2 </b>