No, it wasn''t just that.
There were probably things he still didn''t know.
Evangeline had always been the sort to share only the good news and keep her troubles to herself. Every time he came home, she''d greet him with that ever- cheerful smile.
What had he been thinking back then, really?
Poppy had been struggling abroad, bullied and barely scraping by—so how did Evangeline manage to stay so lighthearted, so happy?
He''d responded by keeping his distance, answering her with cold indifference more often than not.
Sometimes, he''d deliberately push back, just to be contrary.
Two years ago, when Evangeline insisted someone had broken into the house and wanted to install security cameras, he''d shot her down without a second thought.
He hated the idea of being watched.
But now, regret crept in-a feeling that was foreign to him.
He''d never been one to regret his choices.
Even when he''d grudgingly married Evangeline, he''d only felt a vague irritation toward her, never actual regret.
Even when he learned about everything Poppy had suffered, he''d just felt guilty— his first instinct had been to make it right, not to dwell on what was lost.
But now, over something like this, he found himself regretting his decision?
Soren pressed his fingers to his pounding temples. His mind was a tangled mess.
"Soren."
He heard Poppy''s voice behind him.
Soren turned.
Poppy stood in the middle of the room, clutching a suitcase, looking very much like she was about to leave.
He hesitated. "What are you...?"
"I''m sorry, Soren." Poppy lowered her gaze, her voice soft with apology. "I know that because of the ident, and because Evangeline lost the baby, you must hate me."
"I honestly didn''t know Evangeline was in that car, but the truth is, it was my fault. My car lost control, and because of that, Evangeline lost her child. It drove a wedge between you two."
"I know you''ve been avoiding me, staying at the office every night. But I don''t want to see you like this."
"If my presence is making your life harder, I''m willing to go."
She forced a bitter smile, tightened her grip on the suitcase, and started toward the door.
Soren watched her thin figure retreat, his brow creasing again.
He''de back this time to ask her to leave, but now, an unexpected sense of difort twisted inside him.
"Oh, and..." Poppy stopped, turning back. "Evangeline probably doesn''t want to see me right now. Could you give her my apologies? I know what losing a child means to a woman, so even if she wants me to get down on my knees and beg for forgiveness, I''ll do it. No hesitation."
Soren looked at her, taking in the sorrow in her eyes.
He remembered how adamant Evangeline had been, convinced Poppy had killed the baby on purpose.
For a few brief moments, he''d even doubted Poppy himself.
But now, standing here, he couldn''t see a trace of malice in her.
He said nothing.
Seeing this, Poppy pressed her lips together, turned, and continued for the door. She clutched the suitcase handle, her heart full of unwillingness and frustration.
But Liam had already told her everything—and told her straight out that Soren was wracked with guilt over the child, that he''d always feel that way toward Evangeline.
At first, she''d thought guilt would be easy to handle. After all, Evangeline still held shares in Fawkes Enterprises; Soren woulde around.
But after watching him these past few days, she realized she was wrong.
Soren had been deliberately avoiding her and spending more and more time with Evangeline.
She''d even followed him once, to the building where Evangeline lived now, and saw him-Soren, who had always been so proud-speaking gently to Evangeline, even holding her in his arms...
Things had gottenplicated.
Today, when Soren came home out of the blue and confronted Macy about old grievances, she knew he was probably going to ask her to leave, too.