Chapter 45

Evadne didn't flinch.

She knew Elspeth's true colors all too well. Every word spoken painted a clear picture for Suri—Evadne wasn't just discarded by Thaddeus, but also a desperate woman clawing for a wealthy man's attention.

A cruel smirk curled on Acacia's lips, mirrored by her mother.

The Ashbournes and Abernathys had never been allies. Cassius, as Emeric's eldest son, held immense power. He could have any woman he desired with a mere glance. Why would he ever settle for Thaddeus's castoff?

Ridiculous.

Thaddeus's jaw tightened, irritation flashing in his eyes. "Elspeth, this doesn't concern you."

"Thaddeus, it concerns both our families!" Elspeth pressed, feigning concern. "If word gets out that Ms. Evadne divorced you and immediately latched onto Cassius, people will talk. They'll assume she was unfaithful. I'm trying to protect our reputations!"

Suri scoffed. "Ms. Evadne is divorced. She's free to love whomever she chooses. We Ashbournes don’t judge a woman for her past."

Jareth nearly cheered. Finally, someone said it.

Acacia and her mother paled, stunned into silence.

Was Suri actually defending Evadne?

Elspeth's face twisted. "Suri, you of all people should understand appearances matter! If she—"

"Enough." Suri's voice turned icy. "You're not Thaddeus's mother. You have no right to interfere."

Elspeth's mouth snapped shut.

"And Emeric and I aren't married yet," Suri added sharply. "Don't call me his 'legal wife' again."

Evadne bit her lip, a pang of grief hitting her.

Her mother had been Emeric's only true wife.

Thaddeus remained silent, his gaze locked on Evadne.

He'd never liked her. She was trouble, always stirring the pot.

Yet when Elspeth attacked her, it felt like an insult to him.

"Ms. Evadne, would you like me to take you to Cassius?" Suri offered kindly.

"Thank you." Evadne smiled, the perfect picture of grace.

Suri squeezed her hand. "Cassius has excellent taste."

"Wait."

Thaddeus's voice cut through the air, sharp with barely restrained anger. "Ms. Evadne, don’t you owe us an apology?"

Jareth groaned. He wished he could gag Thaddeus.

Evadne's heart ached. She met his gaze, her disappointment piercing him.

Then—

"It wasn't her!"

A sweet, trembling voice rang out.

Evadne turned, her breath catching.

"Mari!"

A girl in a simple white dress rushed forward, her hair styled into an absurd "cauliflower" mess—Glynnis's doing.

Mari, the overlooked Abernathy sister, had always been kind to Evadne.

Now, despite her fear, she stood her ground.

"I saw everything!" Mari blurted, hands shaking. "Ms. Acacia tore the bracelet herself! Evadne never touched her!"

Thaddeus's grip on Acacia loosened.

Acacia panicked. "She's lying! Mari doesn’t understand—"

"Actually," Jareth drawled, "she explained it perfectly."

Thaddeus's stare turned lethal. "You staged this?"

Acacia's knees buckled. The truth was written all over her face.

With a choked gasp, she fainted.

The drama ended with Acacia being wheeled away.

Later, in the parking lot, Jason finally arrived, horrified at the blood on Evadne's handkerchief.

"Who hurt you?" he demanded.

"It's nothing," Evadne said softly. "Suri handled it."

Suri sighed. "Evadne, why didn’t you tell them who you really are? They should fear crossing you."

Evadne shook her head. "That life is over. They don’t deserve to know me now."

Suri hugged her suddenly, voice thick. "It’s not fair."

Evadne smiled through the sting in her eyes. "With you here, it doesn’t have to be."