Chapter 52

[Evelyn’s POV]

Who the fuck does he think he is?!

It had taken all the self-restraint in my body to not tear Liam apart. There was so much that needed to be said but why bother?

Had I stuck around to hear more of his ridiculous remarks about Alexander and our relationship, I would have surely lost my composure. I’d gone a majority of my trip conducting myself with the utmost repose and composure—I would have hated myself to let it all go then.

But my God, there were far too many things I wanted to say to him. I wanted to rip him apart for all the pain and emotional distress he caused me. I wanted to rub in the fact that he chose the wrong sister and now he had no choice but to deal with the consequences.

But why bother, though?

It wasn’t as if it would change anything. And to be honest, I had moved on from our past relationship the moment I realized that Alexander and I had an actual chance to form a closer relationship. I was willing to let go of a lot of painful memories of all the wasted efforts and time I’d never get back.

But what I didn't need was to have ongoing reminders of the life that I once had. I believed that I was doing better and that I was finally surrounded by people who acknowledged and appreciated me.

Most of the tension left me when I finally reached Edward’s room. The second I saw him, a wave of relief and revitalized hope rushed through me.

He truly looked so much better and healthier than he had before. All the paleness and dark rings under his eyes had graciously faded. Even his hair looked stronger and thicker. I was nearly brought to tears when I took his hand in my own and found it warm.

Now that I was alone, I could finally drop the facade I’d been masquerading around in. I could finally be me. I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and delved into the most recent events of my life with Alexander.

Unlike the last time I had divulged my thoughts, I’d been filled with dread and uncertainty, now there was almost a bubbly, giddiness to my voice.

“I just wanted to come by and see how you’ve been doing. I’m so glad that you’re looking much better. And I don’t want you to worry about me,” I told him.

Before I left, I made it a point to tell the staff to keep up the great work on ensuring Edward’s progress and to let me know if anything should change.

...

The rest of the trip had gone by with little to no problems after I’d proven to be better equipped to handle formal dinner gatherings. Neither Samantha nor Isabella tried to pull off another stunt to try and embarrass me. Even more so, my father hadn’t tried to approach me again with that new caring behavior of his.

I was strangely glad to get back to Kingston Hall. I had gone there and done what I needed to do and now I was peacefully back.

“Evelyn!”

I glanced over my shoulder to find Nina with a large, hopeful smile on her face. She eagerly approached me and asked how the visit went.

The two of us made our way to the kitchens where we were met with Wendy. She gave me an expected smile while prepping a fresh pot of tea.

“Well, don’t leave us in suspense,” the older woman said pointedly. “Tell us everything.”

“You were right to assume that my Stepmother was planning something devious up her sleeve,” I explained. “She and Samantha had gone ahead and planned this insane dinner party with all of my previous pack’s closest friends.”

“Ah, so she was hoping to embarrass you like at the Luna gathering then.”

“Precisely. But, based on their mortified reactions, I didn’t give them the satisfaction they were hoping to gain.”

Both Wendy and Nina were overjoyed by my success in proving to be more than the hurtful label I’d been marked with since childhood.

“Oh, dear. We’re so proud,” Wendy exclaimed. “Now, in the future, you will never have to worry about another unanticipated event again.”

There was no explaining the warmth and grateful sensation that flooded through my chest.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “For all your help. You know, I don't think I would have been able to do it without you or Alexander.”

I gave each of them a light hug and sank back into my chair to have my tea. The light-hearted feeling in the room started to gently shift. Nina cleared her throat and spoke evenly.

“Evelyn, we wanted to let you know that Fiona will be returning back to the pack as its main physician tomorrow,” she informed.

I bit the inside of my cheek and held back a heavy sigh. That was certainly a way to knock down the high spirit I’d been feeling. An uneasy twinge jabbed at my sides. There was just no telling what sort of trouble Fiona would be bringing back with her once tomorrow would come.

Would she hold the grudge of being suspended against me? Even though she was the one who orchestrated the plan of trying to get me thrown, more or less killed, out of the pack...

We will just have to see.

Afterward, I headed back to my room to shower and change into a fresh pair of clothes. As tired as I was, I found myself to be wide awake.

A deep, rumbled voice called out from down the hall. I turned my head to find Alexander.

“You’re back.”

The corners of my mouth curled into a soft smile. “Yes. I got back a little while ago. I’m just coming back from seeing Wendy and Nina.”

I felt his eyes scan over me with an appreciative glint. “I take it that the visit went well,” he inquired.

“It did...Thanks to you.”

Without giving it much thought, I closed the space between us and circled my arms around his shoulders, hugging him tightly.

“I’m really happy to be back.”

He laid a strong back in the middle of my back and held me close.

“As am I,” he said.

[Third-Person’s POV]

Isabella was not happy. In fact, the results of her devious, little dinner party had left her feeling considerably bitter. And due to Leonard’s unexpected behavior shift toward Evelyn, she was all the more concerned about her future within the pack.

Who the hell does that stupid, little nobody think she is?

Evelyn’s etiquette had improved significantly since their last encounter. Something Isabella certainly hadn’t anticipated for sure. But to think her Stepdaughter had come in with a spiteful, defiant attitude as well...Something had to be done.

Evelyn’s words continuously echoed in Isabella’s mind since they were first spoken.

“...Perhaps you ought to place that same genuine concern on someone who could actually use it...Edward. The son he already has...”

She was right. With Edward still in the picture, Isabella’s own son didn’t hold much power or importance. It was obvious that because of the money that came from Evelyn’s match with Alexander, Edward’s health was doing significantly better.

“Perhaps, I need to do something about that,” she muttered to herself.