And Evelyn had never been mated, so she couldn’t know, but Victor knows how it feels. So he tells her. “Evelyn, every bit of this,” he says, gesturing between them, “is more intense than anything that I felt for Amelia. And it’s not just that she wasn’t a good person,” he says, shaking his head. “
The next morning, I wake up to the feeling of little fingers pressing at the skin around my eyes, prying my lids open. “Mama,” Ian whispers as I blink and flinch out of his grasp. “Wake up. We want to tell you congratulations.” “What?” I ask, still bleary with sleep, realizing suddenly that he’s s
“Delia, I’m not engaged,” I hiss into the phone. “WHAT??” I wince as she shouts into my ear. “Evelyn, it’s on every network – there are pictures –“ “Pictures of what?” I ask, glancing in towards the living room. “Of you and Victor at what is clearly an engagement dinner – there’s none of him on o
“I already told you, kid,” Victor says to Alvin as he moves towards the couch. “The news people got bad information.” Victor sits down as Alvin glares at him, his arms crossed against his chest. I join Victor on the couch and the boys climb up on either side of us. “But why aren’t you engaged,” Ia
“Not such a pleasure for me,” John replies, his voice laced with frustration. “I’ve been calling all morning and have been told for hours that you’re too busy to take my call.” “Not too busy,” Victor says, tired of this already. “I just have no real desire to speak to you.” “Don’t you take that to
“All right,” Victor says, coming in and leaning against the counter with them. “If there’s nothing else,” he pauses to let either object, but neither does, “then I suggest we all go to bed and get some sleep. Thank you both so much for your help on such a long day.” The both give him fond smiles an
I dash into the boys room, waking them as gently as I can in my frantic state. Archie comes with me, barking at my heels. “Boys,” I say as they rub their eyes and groan. “Quickly – you’re safe, but I need you to move.”They respond quickly, their faces grave as they pull themselves out of bed and s
And there, next to it, a hand – its delicate fingers splayed out against the hardwood.“Bridgette,” I whisper, and then – without thinking – I’m in motion.I hear voices call out behind me as I sprint for the back door, but I don’t process what they’re saying as I push myself over the threshold. The