Unmasking the Heiress (Evangeline and Walte)
Bitten Once Shy Forever 234

Chapter 234

Yale's face was a mask of seriousness, but Evangeline did not let him get a word in edgewise.

"You know how bad Grandpa Cole has been," she said. "If we hadn't pulled some strings with Walter to get Dr. George on board, who knows where he'd be now? There's only one thing on my mind: To have a baby fast, so he can cuddle his longed-for great- grandkid while he still can."

"I get it." Yale closed his eyes for a moment, hiding the wave of helplessness that threatened to show. "Evie, could you grab me a drink? I'm in the mood. for some liquor."

Years in the service had turned Yale into someone who would drown his

sorrows in a bottle.

It did not bother him that Evangeline, busy with baby-making plans, could not join him. He was fine drinking alone.

Evangeline, ever so sweet, fetched a wine glass and a bottle of red wine, pouring him a glass with a caring touch.

He swirled the wine glass absentmindedly, his eyes tracing the dance of the deep red liquid.

He was in pain, his heart aching, and it was not just because of Evangeline.

As he looked at her, as he listened to her, memories of his late sister Yessica flooded back. Their mother had nearly died giving birth to her at an old age, bringing such a treasure into their lives.

In their big family of seven, even the youngest, James, treated Yessica like she hung the moon. They all did whatever she wanted, and Yessica, bless her heart, never let the special treatment go to her head.

Then Andrew came along, and everything went sideways.

Swept up in Andrew's charming words, Yessica turned her back on her brothers, defied her parents, and even left home to marry him!

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Yessica, ever so headstrong in matters of the heart, ultimately paid with her life for her stubborn love.

Was Evangeline about to walk down the same tragic path?

Yale's hand, clutching his wine glass, shook without warning as he watched Evangeline rummage through the massive liquor cabinet for vodka. Her delicate silhouette was a haunting echo of Yessica's on the day she fled, so fragile that it tore at his heart. To avert another heartbreak, their father had reluctantly consented to Evangeline's marriage to Walter, a match he did not favor.

To keep history from repeating itself, Yale and his brothers stormed the Gordon Group offices, demanding a divorce.

However, Yale realized that if Evangeline could not let go of Walter by herself, all their efforts would be futile.

The vodka arrived.

Without a second thought, Yale downed a hefty swig. The liquor blazed a trail from his throat to his stomach, a searing sensation as if igniting something within.

He was no stranger to this burn; it somehow helped him release the storm of feelings inside.

"Evie, be honest with me. What do you really feel for Walter? If you're just caught up in the moment, us brothers will do whatever it takes to help you. Il do whatever it takes to help you move on and replace someone new."

He said this because he hoped that was what Evangeline needed. The reality was probably not something he would want to hear.

"Uncle Yale, you don't have to fuss over me and Walter."

Evangeline's head was bowed, her heart heavy with guilt.

She knew exactly what Yale was hoping to hear from her, but she just could not say it.

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What was the point of lying to Yale when she could not even lie to herself?

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