While Soren stood frozen in shock, Evangeline had already shoved him aside and leapt straight into theke.


    The water was icy cold, especially at night. The moment she hit the surface, the chill shot through her, making her whole body shudder.


    Ever since she''d nearly drowned after being pushed into a pool, Evangeline had made herself learn how to swim. But she''d only ever practiced in the safety of a pool-never a realke, with its murky depths and slippery edges. Panic wed at her as she realized how unfamiliar this was.


    Still, the thought of that ring—her mother''sst keepsake―drove everything else from her mind. She ducked beneath the water, searching desperately.


    Soren finally snapped out of his daze and looked out at theke. Evangeline''s silhouette had vanished from the surface. A surge of anger shot through him.


    She''s lost her mind. Absolutely lost it.


    All this-risking her life-for a ring given to her by another man? Did she love him that much?


    His cheek still stung from her p. Furious, Soren wanted nothing more than to turn and leave her to her foolishness. But, inexplicably, his feet wouldn''t move.


    After a few seconds, he tore off his jacket and readied himself to dive in after her -when suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped tightly around his waist.


    "Soren, what are you doing? That''s way too dangerous!" came a voice, soft but edged with worry.


    He spun around to see Poppy, her face etched with concern.


    "Evangeline''s in the water," he said tly.


    "Theke isn''t deep. She''ll be alright. Besides, you''re supposed to be hosting your grandmother''s birthday party tonight. What if you catch a chill?" Poppy''s voice dropped to a whisper. "And... I saw what happened. She doesn''t want your help, Soren. Even if you jump in, she won''t thank you for it."


    In truth, Poppy had followed them out here, overhearing every word of their tense argument—including the news that Soren and Evangeline had divorced. For a brief, wicked moment, she''d been delighted. She never expected Evangeline would go this far.


    She could see exactly what Evangeline was doing: forcing Soren to make a choice. Poppy would never allow herself to lose to that sort of maniption.


    Soren''s brow furrowed as he watched theke. Just then, Evangeline''s head broke the surface, gulped a breath, and dove back under.


    Poppy was right. Evangeline''s mind was filled with thoughts of another man. Even if he rescued her, she''d never appreciate it.


    Yet, watching that slim figure struggling in the dark water, Soren''s chest twisted with a strange agitation.


    Sensing Soren''s resolve wavering, Poppy was just beginning to rx when he unexpectedly pried her arms off him. "Forget it. Even if she doesn''t care, I can''t just stand by."


    After all these years of marriage, he couldn''t just watch Evangeline do something so reckless.


    That tiny diamond ring was lost in this vastke-it could be anywhere by now. She could search until she copsed and still never find it.


    Without another moment''s hesitation, Soren dove into the water.


    "Soren!" Poppy screamed after him.


    Clutching the railing, she red at his retreating back, teeth clenched in frustration. After a long, shaky breath, some decision red in her eyes—she vaulted the railing and plunged in as well.


    Underwater, everything was a blur. Evangeline squinted, her eyes aching from the strain, but she still hadn''t found the ring. She was certain Soren had thrown it somewhere around here.


    Her lungs burning, Evangeline surfaced for air, checked her bearings, and widened her search.


    Suddenly, a loud ssh sounded rmingly close.


    She turned instinctively-just in time to feel a foot, whether by ident or intent,


    m hard into her chest.


    There was nothing to grab onto in the water. The kick sent her sprawling backward, her body smacking against a submerged rock.


    Blinking water from her eyes, she realized it was Poppy, thrashing and iling wildly.


    Poppy didn''t even seem to notice her. She raised her arms and began screaming for help. "Soren! Help me!"


    At the sound of her cries, Soren immediately changed direction, swimming toward her figure.


    Watching them draw closer together, Evangeline barely had time for the bitter ache in her chest—because just then, her searching fingers closed around something small and round.


    She brought it up to her face, and under the moonlight, she made out the delicate shape of her mother''s ring. Relief and joy washed over her.


    She''d found it.


    Evangeline''s eyes stung with tears.


    It was thest thing her mother had left her.


    People loved to talk about how her mother had manipted Soren into marrying her, and even her own father, Winston Whitmore, had called her mother shameless. But to Evangeline, her mother was just that her mother. The one person who, as long as she lived, would always love and protect her, no matter what the world said.


    She curled her fingers tightly around the ring.


    Only now, as the adrenaline faded, did she realize how much her chest ached where she''d been kicked, and the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth.


    She forced her arms to move, ready to swim back to shore.


    But after only a few strokes, she realized she wasn''t making any progress at all.


    ncing down, she saw-at some point-a length ofkeweed had wound itself around her leg, pinning her to the rocks below.