Save Her Lose Us (Evangeline and Soren) novel Chapter 38

"Leaving? Where are you going?"

Grandma Fawkes gripped Evangeline's hand just a little tighter, her concern plain on her face.

The rest of the Fawkes family turned to look at her as well, curiosity and confusion flickering in their eyes.

Something about this whole scene struck Soren as oddly off-kilter. His brow knit in irritation.

Poppy sidled up to Evangeline, lowering her voice as if to keep things private—though she made sure everyone could hear. "Evangeline, it's normal for married couples to have disagreements. If there's something you want to say, you should talk it out calmly. This is the Fawkes family's home, after all. It wouldn't look good to make a scene."

Before Evangeline could answer, Poppy turned to Soren. "Soren, you're the man here. Whatever happened between you two, just apologize to Evangeline first."

Soren's frown deepened, but he said nothing. Exactly as Poppy expected.

Her lips curled ever so slightly in satisfaction. As long as neither Soren nor Evangeline denied her words, everyone would assume she was telling the truth: that the young couple had quarreled and dragged their personal issues into the family home. No matter who was at fault, it would only sour the family's opinion.

Soren was their son; they'd always side with him. The one left out in the cold would be Evangeline.

Poppy glanced at her, offering a gentle, almost patronizing smile. "Soren's temper isn't the best—I'll apologize on his behalf."

"Evangeline, let's leave it at that, okay? Don't let Grandma worry."

Poppy knew perfectly well that Grandma Fawkes was the one person in the family Evangeline truly respected. So she deliberately invoked her name, sure Evangeline would back down for the sake of peace.

But to her surprise, Evangeline simply smiled. "I think you might have misunderstood. There's no argument between us."

"And even if there was, I'm still Soren's wife in name. What position are you in to apologize to me on his behalf?"

At that, Flora rolled her eyes in disappointment. "That's it? I thought something big had happened—you made it sound like a tragic farewell. For a minute I thought you and my brother were really getting divorced."

Evangeline was about to reply, but Soren spoke up first, his voice cold and edged with annoyance. "Flora, that's enough."

His tone left no room for argument; he was clearly irritated.

Evangeline blinked, momentarily confused, then realized Soren was angry not because of her, but because Flora had brought up divorce in front of Grandma, upsetting her.

Sure enough, Flora glanced at Grandma Fawkes, then quickly fell silent.

No one else said a word, but Evangeline suspected they all thought the same as Flora.

In this family, probably only Grandma Fawkes genuinely didn't want her to leave. Soren was right—there was no need to announce anything. When everyone already assumed they'd end up divorced, it was easier just to go through the motions and quietly walk away.