Chapter 80

[Evelyn’s POV]

I’d truly hoped that coming to the market would have allowed some of the stress to disappear. I was in my happy place, after all.

Unfortunately, because of all the things Wendy and I had covered, I ended up slipping into an ongoing train of thought that led me down several rabbit holes.

I had no idea how long I’d been walking for—only that I had probably circled through the entire marketplace at least three times. My feet were actually beginning to hurt from the amount of aimless walking I’d been doing.

I should have stopped. Hell, I should have actually taken some form of interest in the dozens of stands that were all around me. This was one of my favorite places and I felt as though I was neglecting that idea by not doing so.

What was to become of Alexander and I’s relationship? The fact that we were married, I knew, wouldn’t change. However, we were getting dangerously close to being the kind of married couple that lived separate lives from each other.

That wasn’t what I wanted. It was never what I wanted.

From the very beginning, I’d hoped that one day I would marry the man that I loved. I wanted a partner that would stick by me through everything. Someone who could understand me and respect my passions.

It would certainly have been considered a bonus if that person shared my deep interest n agriculture.

I wanted a relationship that was filled with passion and laughter. I wanted to be able to share my dreams and ambitions, as well as my worries and doubts.

I remembered the day I was expected to marry Alexander...That particular time felt so long ago. I felt like I was a completely different person then.

In any case, I had accepted the fact that my marriage to Alexander was going to, very likely, end up becoming loveless. It was nothing more than a business arrangement.

I had accepted it.

However...Over time, as Alexander and I gradually started to get used to one another, that whole ‘arranged match’ business really started to fade into the background. Granted, we still both went about our own lives but it was done with mutual respect and understanding.

Alexander and I were getting closer. The kisses we shared were, sadly, only a handful. But each one felt like a promise. A promise that, in time, one day we would have a relationship built with love.

That was what it felt like we were headed toward. But then...Everything just fucking fell apart!

My heart swelled in my chest as I suddenly forced myself to stop moving. I blinked back the tears in my eyes, refusing to cry in such a public place.

Oh, God. The last thing I need is for someone to approach me and ask me if I’m alright.

I needed to get it together.

Glancing a little bit around, I came to the swift conclusion that I should just head back to the manor. The ache in my feet and legs became terribly more noticeable at that point. I was well past tired and all I did was manage to make myself more upset.

I don’t want to sully my happy place with any more of my negative feelings.

Right as I turned to head back toward the parking lot, I heard someone call out my name.

“Evelyn!”

My heart slammed in my chest when I caught sight of who it was. Michael.

Between Alexander’s accusations and Wendy’s clear explanation of his type of character within the Kingston family, I wasn’t sure how I felt being around him anymore.

It wasn’t so much fear but rather...Uncertainty?

I appreciated Michael for his interest and insight on plants and their multiple properties; however, there wasn’t much else that I knew about him. I felt torn between wanting to find out more and listening to what Alexander warned me against.

Apparently, Michael was dangerous—potentially dangerous. Yet, he never showed any signs of hostility or malice toward me. That should have been questionable in itself.

As uneasy as I was, I needed to keep a cool demeanor. “Michael, hello,” I greeted.

“I’d ask what brings you here, but I sort of have this feeling that you tend to come here quite often if I’m not mistaken,” he lightly chuckled.

A slight blush touched my cheeks. “You’re not wrong, of course.”

I held my arms to my chest to bring some sense of security to myself. But, Michael was quick to decipher that something was off with me.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

Another wave of pain crashed through me. His soft tone of voice was really getting to me. Why was it that Alexander, my own damn husband, wasn’t able to speak to me like this but an apparent psychopath could?!

“Oh, I’m fine,” I claimed. “I just...Think I may be overworking myself.”

I really, really didn't want him getting any more involved with my personal life within Alexander’s pack. If he was some unknown enemy, then I needed to keep my guard up.

Michael gave me a concerned look.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said. “How’s the new tea blend coming along? Have you harvested the rest of the hibiscus yet?”

Again, what the hell??

This man wasn’t even a remotely prevalent person in my life. We’d literally met by coincidence in this exact place several days ago and, yet, he spoke as though we’d been friends for years.

“Not yet. I’ve got a few late bloomers that have been holding me up a little. I’ve just felt so behind is all. Since the last batch had to be tossed, I’ve been feeling guilty for all the delays that keep coming up. Winter is here and people are bound to get sick if they’re able to help their immune system.”

I hadn’t realized I was rambling until Michael reached out and gave my arm a light shake.

“Evelyn, first off, you will get everything, eventually, sorted and then your shipment will be back on track as they were before. It’s not as though you’ve been slacking on this. I’m sure everyone knows that you’re working diligently to fix the problem,” he explained. “Secondly, and most importantly, you are not responsible for every single person’s health and well-being.”

“I am when I am the Luna of my pack,” I said insistently.

Michael clicked her tongue. “Fair point, I suppose. But that does not mean that you are also responsible for everyone outside of your pack.”

I shrugged my shoulders a little and lowered my gaze to one of the nervy tables.

“No, I guess you’re right.”

I could feel his gaze searching over me like he was trying to find some hidden message.

“There’s something else that’s bothering you isn’t there?” he inquired.

I bit the inside of my cheek and hastily shook my head. “No. Not that I’m aware of,” I claimed.

Michael continued to eye me warily but said nothing. I didn’t want to bring any cause to make him feel suspicious of me. I swiftly changed the topic.

“So, what brought you here?” I asked. “I thought you said things were going well with the use of the chamomile.”

Thankfully, I could tell Michael visibly relaxed with my inquiry and graced me with a bright smile.

“The chamomile, as I mentioned before, is still working out rather well. I’m actually here for something that could aid with sleep.”

My brows perked up. “Oh, really?”

He gave me a cheeky smile. “Would you happen to have any suggestions for me?”

I couldn’t stop myself from smiling back. “As a matter of fact, try—”

“Evelyn!!” A deep voice called out, causing my blood to run cold.