That was the only reason Evangeline had survived.


    Growing up as a Lockridge, Finn had seen countless horrorsmitted by those who aligned with Victor. He''d even witnessed tortures far worse. Victor was a madman, and Finn himself was no saint. In the Lockridge family, only the ruthless survived.


    But now, thinking about it, a deep revulsion for Victor-and for the man he used to be-welled up inside him.


    It shouldn''t have been this way. Evangeline should have had a bright, promising future. Her youth and potential should never have been so brutally crushed by someone else''s selfish need for revenge.


    Nearly an hourter, Evangeline and Sybil emerged from the cabin. Whatever they had discussed, it had clearly gone well. Both women were smiling, their moods visibly lifted.


    Sybil extended her hand. "A pleasure doing business with you."


    Evangeline shook it, her own smile genuine. "The pleasure is all mine."


    "Well, I''ll leave you two to it," Sybil said, her eyes flickering knowingly between Evangeline and Finn. With another smile, she turned and walked away.


    "What did you talk about?" Finn asked, raising an eyebrow at the radiant smile on her face.


    Evangeline''s expression turned mischievous. "That''s a secret."


    Finn didn''t press, just smiled and gently ruffled her hair.


    ...


    That same night, back at the hospital, Old Mrs. Fawkes had shown signs of improvement.


    The old woman was still too weak to sit up, but she was conscious and could speak a few words at a time.


    When Flora got the news, she rushed to the hospital and copsed by the bedside, sobbing about how scared she''d been. Clyde Fawkes and Helena Carlisle were also there, anxiously asking how she felt.


    "She just woke up. Don''t overwhelm her with questions," Soren said quietly from the side.


    The others realized their mistake and fell silent.


    Old Mrs. Fawkes didn''t speak, her eyes slowly scanning the room.


    "Grandma, are you hungry? You haven''t eaten in so long. I''ll go get your favorite pastries," Flora said, eager to help. She hurried out of the room.


    Soren watched her go without a word. He knew who his grandmother was looking for. She was looking for Evangeline.


    "Dad, Mom, stay with Grandma for a bit," Soren said, making a quick excuse before stepping out of the room.


    In the hallway, he ran into Poppy, who had just arrived.


    "Soren, I heard Grandma''s awake?" she asked.


    Soren nodded.


    As Poppy moved to enter the room, he gently stopped her. "She''s just woken up and her emotions are still fragile, he said in a low voice. "Let''s wait until tomorrow to tell her about us


    Poppy''s smile faltered for a moment before she quickly recovered. "Of course," she said, forcing a cheerful tone.


    She and Soren would be together soon enough; their engagement date was set. There was no need to rush.


    né


    Besides, she nced at the frail old woman in the bed, a barely


    perceptible smirk touching hertips. *It''s not like she can do anything to -stop us now *  t


    After Poppy left, Soren stood in the hallway, his phone in his hand, hesitating. Minutes passed. Finally, clenching his jaw, he was about to dial Evangeline''s number when his phone buzzed.


    It was a notification from a group chat he was in. He normally ignored it, but his


    fingers froze when he saw the messages that followed.