Even though Evadne was still recovering-hobbling on crutches, her left leg in a cast-she refused to waste away in a hospital bed.

After another week of convalescence, she insisted on checking herself out. With her crutches and cast, she limped out of the hospital, determined to reclaim her life.

She didn't tell her father or Suri about her discharge, but her older brother, Arnold, Camille, and Jason all came to pick her up. Their presence warmed her heart more than she'd expected.

"Evadne, is it really over between you and Thaddeus?" Camille slipped her arm through Evadne's slender one, tears shimmering on her lashes.

Evadne smiled softly, her voice light and free. "Yes. It's over. We loved each other truly, fiercely. That was enough for me. I have no regrets."

Camille's eyes reddened with emotion. "How can you say that? After all that time together, he never proposed, never gave you the kind of wedding every girl dreams about... He still owes you so much! How can you just let it go?"

"Maybe he did owe me once," Evadne replied, fighting to keep her composure. "But these past two years, he risked his life for me more times than I can count. Whatever debt there was, he's paid it back in full.”

A faint, bittersweet smile crossed her lips. "This time, I'm the one in his debt. Letting him move on, letting him be happy, is the best way I can repay him."

Camille, unwilling to give up, looked pleadingly at Arnold. He only pressed his lips together and shook his head, worry clouding his face.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

his brother, Cassius's eyes misted, and for the first time in days, a spark of life returned to his

"Elvis, you're back."

I'm late, big brother," Elvis said, catching

you're here. Evadne's still got her left leg in a cast, but she's on the mend. Everything else has healed up—no need to


as he caught sight

behind Elvis. She was unfamiliar delicate almost ethereal, her head bowed

"Elvis, this is...?"

her close, his arm protectively circling her waist. He gazed at her, eyes

"This is Elsie Archer."

across his face as he took in her

you really

nodded, overwhelmed by

Evadne called out, making her way over with Arnold and Camille

Evadne,” Elsie said, hurrying forward when she saw Evadne

women clasped

you used to look?" Evadne's eyes

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