Chapter 94

To her surprise, a soft chuckle came from the other end of the line. Alex's laughter, light and unexpected, echoed through the phone.

"Why do you think I'm here to talk you into something?"

There was a hint of challenge in his voice as if he was gently pushing back against Evangeline's assumption.

"Don't they say it's better to tear down a house than to break up a marriage? You're like a brother to both me and Walter, so it makes sense you'd call to talk some sense into me, right?"

Evangeline paused, taking a deep breath.

"Bro, I don't hold a grudge for how things turned out with Walter and me. You're not here to see it, but we've been at each other's throats..."

On New Year's Eve, Walter had set up a fireworks display for Julia. She had to drag him back home in the dead of night, and even her hints at divorce could not stir his sympathy.

Afterward, she looked after Julia, who had tried to end it all, giving her a place to stay and the help she needed.

With every step, Evangeli