"Evie, life hasn't been kind to you, and no matter how much your uncles and I try, we can't take the place of your real parents."Normally, I wouldn't give you a gift at my age—it might mess with your luck. But how could I not give you something for your first birthday with the Fosters?"Cole's heartfelt words made Evangeline's eyes brim with tears."Grandpa, you don't have to do anything..."Before she could finish, Cole gestured for her to be quiet."I don't have much to give, and I wouldn't want to curse your luck, so I'll just give you a little something to remember this day by."With everyone watching, Cole lifted his left hand. The emerald jade of his ring drew all eyes to it.That ring was the very one Cole had won from the last great gambler in his legendary victory. Once it became part of the Foster family, it turned into a symbol of their authority.As the onlookers held their breath, Cole slid the ring off his finger.The excitement was palpable, with gasps echoing
With everything laid out before her, Evangeline found it impossible to say no.The serious talk was done, and it was finally time for everyone to relax and share a moment or two.This was Evangeline's favorite part. She was not one for small talk, but she could not turn away her uncles' kindness.Finally free, she was eager to reconnect with Alex, whom she had not seen in far too long.The fact that Alex was using a wheelchair—and she had not known—pained her deeply.Without hesitation, Evangeline wheeled Alex out to the back garden.As they reached the swing, Evangeline noticed a woman with an effortless grace entering the garden. She looked up and realized it was the same woman who had helped Alex earlier. With a polite smile, she acknowledged her presence.The woman took her place next to Alex's wheelchair with a practiced grace, her eyes twinkling with a smile that did not quite reach the distant look in her gaze. She seemed to be somewhere else entirely.Evangeline's gaze
Evangeline bit her lip, wanting to ask about the injury that had taken the spring out of those once-lively legs, but the thought of dredging up Alex's painful past made her heart heavy.Amid her indecision, Minnie piped up with a sparkle in her eye, "Ms. Evangeline, who was that dreamy guy standing with you earlier? He's a total knockout! Any chance you could hook us up?"The man in question, the one who'd been glued to Evangeline's side at the party, was none other than Walter.Minnie's eyes practically danced at the mention of him, her crush as obvious as a neon sign.Alex's face clouded over, a frown marring his usually smooth features as he shot a warning glance. "Minnie, you're here to dive into your new project, not daydream about boys."The air between Walter and Evangeline was thick with awkwardness.Evangeline understood that Alex's scolding was his way of protecting her feelings.She was over it, though."Alex," Evangeline chided, "Minnie's about my age, and it's tota
"Excuse me, miss, do you... know me?"In Avalon City, Walter was a known figure, so it was not odd for women to recognize him. Usually, however, they would get all bashful and scurry off.This woman had the guts to tap his shoulder—a bold move, for sure."Hi there, I'm Minnie. Maybe you and I could get to know each other better?"Minnie's words were coy, but her actions were anything but. She reached out her hand to Walter with no hesitation.Her eyes locked onto Walter with an intensity that was almost predatory, as if he was just a piece of meat ready for her to carve up.Walter did not like that one bit.He had much experience with women, but he never met a woman who looked at him like he was her next catch.He was not like the others. This kind of move did not intrigue him—it turned him off.Ignoring Minnie's outstretched hand, Walter coolly fished out a cigarette from his pocket, struck a match with a flick of his wrist, and took a leisurely puff. He then nonchalantly sai
"Evangeline and I need to talk. You're excused."Walter's grip was unyielding, and Evangeline could not resist as he dragged her away from the garden.…Back in Evangeline's room, Walter slammed the door with a bang and spun around to see Evangeline in her evening gown, his expression darkening.He pointed accusingly at the blue diamond on her dress and growled a warning, "So, are you going to take that off, or do I have to do it for you?"His words sent a shiver down Evangeline's spine, reviving unpleasant memories.Remembering Walter's past roughness, she held onto her dress for dear life.The party was still in full swing, and Evangeline had to make a round of personal thank-yous to the guests soon. "You need to get your mind out of the gutter, Walter!" she snapped.She had thought the stern warnings from the uncles at the party would have put him on alert, but it looked like they did not faze him one bit. How else could he be so bold as to ask her to strip down in the middl
This was utterly ridiculous!Evangeline shot Walter a withering look."What's the big deal about wearing clothes from someone else? First, the gift is from Alex, not just some other man," she snapped at Walter. "And just to be clear, we're on the brink of divorce. Maybe you should start getting used to being my ex and stop being so grabby, okay?"Walter was a piece of work.Back when she was head over heels for him, doing everything to be by his side, he could not have cared less.Now, all she wanted was to speed through the divorce and break free, but he was all up in her business, even fussing over what she wore.Was this his idea of fun? Being a control freak?Walter had been standing on the floor, but at her words, he took a step that landed him on the bed, closing in on Evangeline, still in her tattered dress. He seized her chin with a grip that was as cold and shocking as his expression."Clearly, Ms. Evangeline, you're clueless about the law, so let me enlighten you. The
This was not about love.Evangeline's heart ached for Alex, who had to give up his booming career to teach overseas. She felt for him, having lost the use of his legs for reasons unknown, leaving him bound to a wheelchair.What hurt her most was seeing Alex, such a good-hearted guy, get trashed by his own kin—just because he got along well with her, his in-law!Why did Alex, a guy who was supposed to shine bright, have to have a lowlife like Walter for a relative?Walter felt like he had been stabbed in the heart, the pain so sharp that he could barely get his words out.He just could not see what was so special about Alex. They had the same face, so why did Evangeline choose Alex and not him?He was seething with rage.He wanted to lash out, to break things, to use brute force to make Evangeline fall in line.Then he remembered the hurt he had caused her, and his fists clenched even harder."Great. After we get divorced, you can go ahead and pity whoever you want—it won't be
Evangeline rolled her eyes. 'Not bad'? More like 'drop-dead gorgeous.'Alex's dress was all soft and sweet, perfect for a demure debutante at a birthday bash. Evangeline was not one for soft and sweet. Walter's choice, with its regal elegance and a hint of sass, seemed like it was made just for her.Not that she had ever admitted it moved her.With Walter's influence and power, commissioning a custom dress was as easy as flashing cash and rattling off his measurements. Someone else would do the legwork.He would just sit back and pick his favorite from a lineup of designs…Why would someone like Walter ever put his heart into something for her?With that thought, a wave of bittersweet resignation washed over Evangeline."Come on, Evangeline, it's time to see things for what they are. No point in denying the obvious."Walter casually smoothed out the folds in Evangeline's dress with one hand, while with the other, he produced a small box he had tossed aside earlier and handed it