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.

it. Standing outside, travel-worn and weary, was Elvis. At the sight of his brother, Cassius's eyes misted, and for

"Elvis, you're back."

Elvis said, catching

still got her left leg in a cast, but she's on the mend. Everything


trailed off suddenly as he caught sight of a

behind Elvis. She was unfamiliar delicate almost ethereal, her

"Elvis, this is...?"

a gentle smile, Elvis reached for the girl's hand and pulled her close, his arm protectively circling her waist. He gazed at

"This is Elsie Archer."

across his face as he took in her

you really

and nodded,

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

when she saw

women clasped each other's hands

you used to look?" Evadne's eyes brimmed with tears of joy. She

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