Panic seized her for a second, but she quickly recovered, her fingers fumbling for the ring''s trigger. Before she could activate it, her attacker spun her around and pinned her against the wall.


    It was Soren.


    He was breathing heavily, his hands braced on the wall on either side of her. His eyes were bloodshot. It was the second time she had ever seen him like this. The first was years ago when they were trapped in a broken elevator. The lights had gone out, and in the pitch ck, his ustrophobia had taken over. He had been a tense, terrified wreck. She had done everything she could to calm him until help arrived. He had looked just like this then: afraid, helpless, and vulnerable.


    The memory made her hesitate.


    "Evangeline, what do you want from me?" Soren finally burst out, his voice strained. "You''re the one who refused to get back together, and now you''re the one hurting Poppy out of jealousy."


    So that was it. He was here to defend Poppy. She had thought for a moment he had changed, but he had just chosen to confront her in private.


    A bitterugh escaped her. "I''m not jealous. Soren, you really think too highly of yourself. Who you''re with, who you marry-it means nothing to me."


    "Then exin Poppy''s arm," he shot back. "You expect me to believe you didn''t do that?" He had seen it all in the store but had inexplicably chosen not to make a


    scene.


    "I did it," she admitted calmly. "So what are you going to do? Hit me? Get revenge for her?"


    He saw the wariness in her eyes, the same look she never had with Finn, and it grated on him. He took a deep breath, trying to suppress the


    frustration churning in his chest.


    voice softer, "we were married once


    "Evangeline," he said, his chool no


    know you''re angry that with Poppy. But the decision has been made. You were the one who walked away. Since you did, you need to let it go. Stop targeting her. ept it."


    He was trying to convince himself as much as her. He hadn''t known about the engagement announcement; Flora had posted it on thepany website behind his back. He was furious, but the news was out, and there was no taking it back. Besides, with his grandmother''s health so fragile, the rest of the family supported the idea of an


    engagement to "bring some joy to


    the family." He hated it, but his


    hands were tied. He couldn''t


    humiliate Poppy by calling it off now.


    Even though Evangeline had


    expected him to defend Poppy, his words still felt like a p. She had no


    desire to to continue the conversation.


    She pushed past him and started to walk away.


    He grabbed her wrist.


    His expression was pained, his dark eyes pleading. He didn''t say anything, but she understood.


    "I won''t target her again," she said, her voice t. "This marriage, this rtionship— it''s over."


    Only then did he release her.