"Soren, look how beautiful the orchids are this year. They smell so lovely," the dream-Evangeline said. "I''ll have Gregory move the one that''s blooming most vibrantly to your office tomorrow. You work so hard all day; having some flowers around might brighten your mood."


    ...


    Soren opened his eyes and found himself standing at the entrance of the vi he had shared with Evangeline for five years. From inside, he could hear her familiar, cheerful voice. The door was slightly ajar, a brilliant white light spilling from within. He pushed it open and saw her admiring the orchids in the living room, chattering happily to herself. The dream-version of him, his back to her, barely turned his head at the sound of her voice.


    "Mm," the dream-Soren grunted, a single, cold syble. He didn''t break his stride, continuing up the stairs toward the bedroom. He was still in his work suit, having just gotten home.


    This was their ritual, the brief, chilly interaction they had every time he returned from the office. Soren remembered how he had resented her back then for what she''d done to Poppy, how he had actively avoided her. He''d always known he was cold, but seeing it y out now, watching himself treat her with such indifference, left a bitter taste in his mouth.


    He looked at the dream-Evangeline. She must have sensed his coldness, but she was probably used to it. She just squeezed her hands together for a moment before her smile returned. "I heard things were hectic at work today, that you didn''t even have time for dinner," she called up the stairs. "I made something for you just before you got home. You should eat."


    "No."


    His response was as frigid as ever.


    Still, she persisted, her voice soft and pleading. "I haven''t eaten either. Please, just have a little with me?"


    He kept walking.


    After a moment''s thought, she tried a different tactic. "I''ve been following the financial news, and I was looking at the reports for Fawkes Enterprises. I think I noticed a couple of small issues..."


    Soren could see she was just trying to get him to talk to her. This was after his attitude had souredpletely, and she, still not used to the chill, would try anything to bridge the distance.


    This time, the dream-Soren paused on the stairs. Evangeline''s face lit up, thinking she''d finally gotten through.


    But his next words were like shards of ice. "Evangeline, can you not be so damn annoying? If you''re that bored all day, go out and make.


    some friends. Go shopping,


    throw


    parties like the other wives. Do something to upy your time. Don''t just stand there chattering like a sparrow. It gets on my nerves."


    Without another nce, he disappeared up the stairs, leaving her alone in the living room. Her


    smile froze on her face, the colomet


    draining from her cheeks. S?ren watched as she bit her lip, her eyes weffing up. His own heart clenched painfully. He wanted to go to her, to hold her, to tell her he was sorry.


    But she blinked back the tears, forcing a fragile smile onto her pale lips. "I just wanted to help," she whispered to the empty room. "I just wanted to spend a little time with you... But it''s okay. Everyone has bad days. It''s okay."


    Comforting herself, she walked to the dining table. The food was still hot. For years, Soren had assumed she simply asked Gregory when he''d be home and cooked ordingly. It wasn''t until he''de home unexpectedly one day and caught her throwing out a cold, untouched meal that he understood. After he''d once indirectly berated Gregory for leaking his schedule, she''d never dared to ask again, never wanted to put him in a difficult position.