As Evangeline watched him, a wave of pity for her past self washed over her. For years, she had been ostracized and mocked, and Soren had never lifted a finger. Now, before he was even married to Poppy, he was already clearing the path for her.


    But he had misunderstood. She had said the *rtionship* was over. Her n for revenge, for her child, was just beginning.


    She didn''t say this, of course. Seeing that he wouldn''t stop her again, she turned and walked away without a second nce.


    Finn was pulling the car up to the curb as she exited the building. She got into the passenger seat. He took one look at her face and knew.


    "Soren found you, didn''t he?"


    She nodded. "How did you know?"


    Finn chuckled. "The way he was looking at you in the store. I had a feeling he''d find a way to talk to you alone."


    "Then why..." Evangeline started, but trailed off.


    Finn read her mind. "Why didn''t I warn you? Because it wouldn''t have mattered. A man like him, once he decides to do something, he''ll do it. There''s no point in hiding. Better to just get it over with."


    Besides, why would he want to stop Soren from digging his own grave? He was enjoying the show. He was practically ready to set off fireworks.


    But he didn''t tell her that.


    Evangeline considered his words and decided he was right. She said nothing more.


    Back in the mall, Soren felt a heavy weight settle in his chest. Everything had gone ording to n, yet he felt a profound sense of unease. He had expected her to argue, to use him of abandoning their five years together. But there had been nothing he conversation had been as smooth and transactional as a business deal. He had won, yet he felt no relief.


    Where was this anxietying from?


    He couldn''t figure it out. He rubbed his temples and decided not to dwell on it. He had left Poppy at the mall''s first aid station, using the excuse that he had forgotten something the store. He checked the time and headed back upstairs.


    A doctor had already popped Poppy''s arm back into ce, and she was gingerly testing its movement. As Soren approached, a stray dog wandered over and started sniffing around her feet.


    "Ah!" Poppy shrieked, jumping back as if she''d seen a monster. She kicked the dog hard in the stomach. "Get away from me, you filthy animal!"


    The dog yelped and scurried away, its tail between its legs.


    A frantic mall employee rushed over. "I''m so sorry, ma''am. It''s a stray from the neighborhood. Sometimes it wanders in looking for food. It''s had all its shots, and it''s very gentle. It wouldn''t hurt anyone."


    "I don''t care," Poppy snapped. "What if it bites someone? How can you let a disgusting beast like that here? She pulled out a sanitizing wipe and vigorously scrubbed the spot on her leg where the dog had sniffed.


    Soren froze, watching her.