Just then, Poppy looked up and saw him. Her expression instantly softened into a gentle smile. "Soren, you''re back."


    He nodded, his face unreadable. "How''s your arm?"


    "It''s a little sore, but much better." She rotated her wrist slightly, then looked at his grim expression. "Soren, please don''t be angry with Evangeline. I understand how she feels."


    She gazed into the distance thoughtfully. "Even when you''ve decided to let something go, there are always moments of regret. I understand why she would be upset seeing us together. It''s my fault, really. I shouldn''t have shown up when I knew she was there. I just didn''t realize how much she hates me. I thought... I thought now that she has a boyfriend, she might resent me a little less."


    Soren''s brow furrowed. He thought of the diamond ring on her finger, another gift from Finn, and a familiar irritation pricked at him. "Finn is a yboy," he said, almost to himself. "She has no future with him."


    Evangeline probably knew that, which would exin her hostility toward Poppy. The thought, strangely, brought him a sense of relief.


    Poppy noticed the subtle shift in his mood. Her smile faltered, her nails digging into her palms. She could see the satisfaction in his eyes when he talked about Evangeline''s dead-end rtionship. She had tried to deny it, but it was undeniable now: after years of marriage, Soren had developed feelings for Evangeline. They weren''t deep, but if Evangeline hadn''t initiated the divorce, if she hadn''t schemed to get him back, he never would have left.


    Her own fists clenched, but she kept her expression calm. "Soren, our engagement was just Flora''s prank If you don''t want to go through with it, we can tell everyone and cancel it. As for bringing good fortune to the family it would probably be better if you and Evangeline got back together. After all, Grandma loves her so much..."


    "We''re divorced," Soren cut in. "We''re not getting back together. And the engagement is already public knowledge. There''s no turning back now besides have a responsibility, to you. We''re not discussing this again. Let''s go home."


    Poppy''s smile returned, triumphant.


    "Also," Soren added, clearing his throat, "what happened today... don''t tell anyone. Especially not Flora. Evangeline and I are divorced. It''s best if her name isn''t


    mentioned in the Fawkes household anymore."


    The smile froze on Poppy''s face.


    The words were meant to sound like he was cutting ties, but she knew what he was really doing: protecting Evangeline from family gossip So all that talk about responsibility was just a prelude to this request?


    A wave of sadness washed over her, but she nodded. "Of course. I won''t say a word."


    By the sea.