She could drive herself just fine. Still, whenever Soren was stuck at the old estate and couldn''t make it home, she''d show up at his office to wait for him. They''d ride back together, sharing the same car on the way to the mansion.
Hearing this, Evangeline remembered too.
Back then, she''d adored Soren, but their time together was limited. She never dared to intrude, so she''d find any excuse to make use of the scraps of his day- just to sit beside him, even if neither of them said a word. That alone made her happy.
A wry smile flickered across Evangeline''s lips.
Thinking of how Soren had brought up the baby recently, she asked in a cool voice, "So, is this your way of making it up to me for losing the baby?"
She couldn''t imagine any other reason Soren would do these things.
Soren pressed his lips together.
That wasn''t it.
He simply felt a strange urge to do something for her.
To know her a little better.
Somewhere along the way, he''d realized he didn''t understand her nearly as well as he''d thought.
When he didn''t answer, Evangeline gave a dryugh. "Soren, I told you. Unless you put Poppy behind bars and get justice for my child, I won''t ept any form ofpensation."
Her child was dead, and the person responsible wanted to ease his guilt with a
few shallow gestures?
How convenient for him.
"Stop following me," she said, turning to leave.
On impulse, Soren caught her wrist.
He opened his mouth to speak, but at that moment, a red convertible pulled up beside them.
Evangeline turned her head and saw Finn behind the wheel.
He wore dark sunsses and a silver suit; his cropped hair was tousled by the breeze, giving him an easy, rakish charm.
"Hey, gorgeous." Finn pushed his sunsses up onto his head and winked at her.
Soren''s face darkened.
"Ah, your ex-husband''s here too," Finn remarked breezily. "But since you''re divorced, it''s probably best to keep a little distance, don''t you think, Mr. Fawkes?"
Soren ignored him, his expression growing stormier by the second.
Unbothered, Finn stepped out, circled the car, and opened the passenger door for Evangeline. "It''s gettingte. Hop in-I''ll take you to the office."
Evangeline slipped her hand free from Soren''s grip and got into the car.
"Evangeline," Soren called, frustration ring as he moved toward her.
But Finn closed the door and blocked his path.
"Toote, Mr. Fawkes," Finn said, ncing at his watch. "You had plenty of time, but you didn''t value it. Regret won''t help you now."
"I''m sure Fawkes Industries keeps you busy. Don''t waste either of our time."
With that, Finn circled back to the driver''s seat and started the engine.
Soren clenched his fists, fury and helplessness welling inside him.
What stung most was how Evangeline hadn''t hesitated for a second before getting into Finn''s car.
"Gregory!" Soren barked.
Gregory hurried over.
"You said apologizing would work. Then why is she still so cold?" Soren snapped.
"Sir, these things can''t be rushed," Gregory replied, stepping closer.
He saw how angry Soren was and tried to soothe him. "You''ve hurt Miss Whitmore too many times because of Miss Yates. That kind of pain adds up—it''s
like water wearing down stone. Healing will take time, too."
Soren scoffed. "Hurt her? Was I ever as cruel as she is now? Did I unt another man right in front of her "
He broke off, noticing Gregory staring at him. Soren fell silent.
Gregory guessed Soren had remembered it himself.
Mr. Fawkes had done far worse than Evangeline ever had.
Back when he was pushing her to divorce, he''d let the gossip columns run wild about him and other women.
He''d even gone out of his way to cozy up to other women right in front of Evangeline.
And worst of all, just a month ago, after that car ident, he''d saved Poppy right in front of her.
Remembering that, Soren pressed his lips together, turned toward the car, and muttered, "Let''s go."