Evelyn’s words rang out, clear and bright, leaving the three adults frozen in surprise. Vivian, always curious, piped up, “Evelyn, why did you just call my uncle your uncle-in-law?”
Evelyn blinked her big eyes and answered loudly, “That’s what Auntie told me. She said Mr. Vaughn is going to be my uncle-in-law.”
Gina’s cheeks flushed with heat. She quickly crouched down to Evelyn’s level and said, “Evelyn, your aunt was just joking. Don’t take it seriously, okay?”
Eleanor recovered from her shock and gently turned to her daughter. “Evelyn, let’s not say things like that in public, all right?”
Evelyn nodded, still looking confused. “But Auntie said—”
“Auntie was wrong,” Gina interrupted, giving Xavier an embarrassed glance. “Xavier, please don’t mind her. Kids say the silliest things sometimes.”
Xavier smiled warmly, completely unbothered. “It’s fine, really.”
“Evelyn, say goodbye to Mr. Vaughn,” Eleanor prompted.
Evelyn waved at Xavier, who took Vivian’s hand and said, “We’ll be heading home, then.”
As soon as Xavier and Vivian left, Gina let out a sigh. “Eleanor, I’m so sorry. I’ll talk to Serena and make sure she doesn’t teach Evelyn to say things like that again.”
Eleanor nodded. “It’s all right. We should get going too.”
“Bye, Grandma!” Evelyn called, waving as she climbed into the car. No sooner had they buckled up than she turned to her mother in confusion. “Mom, why can’t I call Mr. Vaughn my uncle-in-law?”
Eleanor glanced at her daughter in the rearview mirror. “Because Mr. Vaughn and your aunt aren’t married. It wouldn’t be right.”
“Will they get married someday?”
“I really don’t know, sweetheart.” Eleanor softened her tone. “That’s something for the grown-ups to figure out. You don’t have to worry about it.”
“Oh, okay!” Evelyn said, dropping the subject.
Meanwhile, as soon as Gina got into her own car, she pulled out her phone and dialed her daughter.
“Hello? Mom, what’s up?” Serena Goodwin’s voice sounded tense on the other end.
“What’s up? Do you know what Evelyn just blurted out in front of Eleanor and Xavier?” Gina couldn’t hide her frustration.
Serena’s tone grew anxious. “What did Evelyn say to Xavier?”
“She announced that she was going to call him her uncle-in-law,” Gina snapped. “Did you teach her that?”
“What?” Serena’s panic was obvious. “I—I just said it as a joke, that’s all.”
“A joke?” Gina’s voice rose. “Well, now both Xavier and Eleanor heard it. How do you expect me to look them in the eye?”
“She didn’t say anything else, did she?” Serena pressed, her nerves on edge.

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