"Sure, if that makes you feel any better, I'm fine with it."Evangeline's eyes twinkled, not the least bit surprised by Celina's revelation that she had once saved her.Celina's eyes widened in astonishment. "You knew all this time?""Of course."Evangeline raised her head with a mischievous grin. "You know, you almost had me fooled. Too bad the handkerchief you gave me was a little frayed around the edges—obviously a well-loved item. However, we're not exactly at the 'sharing used stuff' stage of our friendship, so I knew something was up. That is, until David saw the handkerchief."Just one look from him was all it took to prove Evangeline right.Of course…"I'm not one to keep score, Celina. Just so we're clear, I helped you because it was the right thing to do. Even if you were a total stranger lying on the side of the road, I'd have done the same.""Then I owe you big time." Celina's face was ghostly, but her smile was like a lily in full bloom—delicate and pure, the kind
Celina's unique identity was clear as day.Evangeline was already questioning Walter's real reasons for wanting to see Celina.Things were a bit simpler, since she did not even want to see him, saving her from overthinking the whole situation for ages."I guess I'll head back, then. You stay here and heal up, okay?"Evangeline was about to get up and leave. She was in a risky spot those days, with who knew how many shady characters out there gunning for her."Hold on!" Celina's voice rang out, stopping her in her tracks. "Ms. Evangeline, I really don't want to stay in this hospital. Can I come and recover at your place?"The Bennison family's purges were legendary for their ruthlessness. No one in a thousand years had ever escaped their grasp alive. She was incredibly lucky to have narrowly escaped death by the skin of her teeth.With the first purge attempt botched, she knew more would follow. If she wanted to stay alive, she would have to be extra careful. Sticking close to Ev
Holden was ready to roll the dice.He was betting on Evangeline's sharp eye for judging character, betting that Celina was the kind of person with a conscience, who would not bite the hand that fed her.With that, the severely wounded Celina was smoothly settled into the Foster family's old house.When Evangeline got back, she found the confused Cole at the doorstep. He watched the medical team bustling in and out of Celina's room."Grandpa?" Evangeline sidled up to Cole and tugged at her grandfather's arm.Cole snapped out of it and put on a show of being irritated. "Evie, since when did you start making big decisions like bringing someone home without telling me?"Evangeline knew Cole was not mad. He was just a bit miffed she had not informed him beforehand. With that, she turned on the charm. "I was just worried, you know?"Grandpa, you see how many docs she's got with her? That must've told you how bad she's hurt. I was scared that waiting any longer would mess with her heal
Evangeline nodded with the innocence of an angel. "I promise, no more surprises!"The days that followed were boring, to say the least.At the Foster family's old house, the two uncles were as elusive as mythical dragons, always busy and barely seen.The other three residents were all in recovery mode: one healing from sickness, one from injury, and one nurturing new life.Their days were reduced to eating and lounging in the sun.Evangeline was climbing the walls with boredom, itching to roam the gardens, but Cole had laid down the law: no long walks, to protect her precious unborn cousin.She did not buy it. How could the baby be that fragile? However, she would not dare cross her snowy-haired grandfather."Celina, don't you ever get bored?"She sat on the couch and spotted Celina, staring out the window, lost in silence.When Celina did not answer, Evangeline gave her arm a playful jab.Celina was still young and resilient. Despite her grave injuries, she had been up and a
"How do I even find a star that grabs me?"What did Evangeline even mean by 'grabs him'? He was beginning to think that joining in on their youthful shenanigans was a mistake. Could he still bail out?However, Evangeline was not about to let him off the hook. She took out her phone and dove into an impromptu lesson.Her fingers danced across the screen, tapping an icon that looked like a pair of tiny eyes, as she explained, "See, Grandpa, this is WebSphere. It's like the news but all about celebs. Just flick through this every day, and you'll figure out which star you're into!"With her tutorial done, Evangeline did not miss a beat. She grabbed Cole's phone and set him up on WebSphere's hot list.Back in the day, she would not have dreamed of letting Cole anywhere near the news.However, everything had changed. Evangeline and Walter had found a way to live in harmony, and the rumor mill had taken a complete turn. After their public display of affection downtown, Avalon City was a
"I get it, but isn't it impressive to show him some new tricks?" blurted Evangeline without a second thought.Just then, the maid who was all about taking care of Celina's meals and stuff came hustling over with a tablet, giving Evangeline a deep bow. "Ms. Evangeline, there's a guy at the door asking for Ms. Morris."At the Foster family mansion, everyone knew Celina was no ordinary addition to their household—everyone except Cole, who was out sick. So when word got out that someone was asking for her, they were all on their toes."Who's at the door? Show me." Evangeline snatched the tablet from the servant, and her eyes widened at the unexpected face staring back.Without a word, she handed the tablet to Celina. "Your call, Celina. What do you want to do?"Celina, already thrown off by that surprise visit, was even more intrigued by Evangeline's reaction.Then she saw him…David's face was on the screen, looking right at her.Celina's eyes seemed to look right through the tabl
As she reached the front gate, she saw David standing tall and defiant in the midst of the blizzard, his car parked idly by, with no sign of him leaving anytime soon.Was David willing to wait out in the cold indefinitely, all for a chance to see Celina? If so, his feelings for Celina must be profound.Evangeline's heart skipped a beat as she noticed David's face, which was a worrying shade of blue from the biting cold. If he stayed out much longer, it could spell disaster.Cole, leaning on his walking stick, noticed David too and made his way over, accidentally running into Evangeline. "Evie, isn't that Walter's guy, David? Should we let him in?"With the snow coming down this hard, it'd be terrible if something happened to him."Both Cole and Evangeline were on the same page, yet Evangeline was torn about what to do.David had come for Celina, after all. If she invited him in without warning, would Celina agree to meet him?Just then, David's voice cut through the storm, "Celi
30 minutes later, David, finally in fresh clothes, held a steaming bowl of soup the housekeeper had prepared and made his way to Celina's room alone.He was about to knock, but the door was slightly open. Knocking lightly out of courtesy, he stepped inside.Celina was a shadow of herself, propped up by pillows at the head of the bed."You came."Her eyes were empty, her gaze lowered, hiding her thoughts.David's heart twisted at the sight of the brace around her neck and the healing wounds on her body. A lump of pain lodged in his throat. He tried to speak but no words came out.The moment he got his phone back and powered it on, he was greeted by a barrage of missed calls. Each one felt like a weight dragging him down.He owed Celina an apology."Say what you need to—I need to rest." Celina's voice was detached as she adjusted the blanket.The moment she got that endless busy tone when she needed him most, she promised herself that her life would no longer include David."I'