Chapter 469
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Alone in the vacant room, Evangeline’s cheeks were on fire. Sitting on the bed, she clutched at her chest, taking deep breaths for what felt like an eternity until she could steady her racing heart.
It was all too much….
Walter was irresistibly charming. How could she possibly hold back?
He was the man she would give everything to adore. Then, with just a touch of his tenderness, she was on the verge of succumbing.
What was she to do?
Evangeline peered at her reflection, her eyes alive with a youthful glow. Her face was warmed by a rosy blush, and her lips, bitten in a nervous flutter, betrayed her inner turmoil.
That was the unmistakable look of someone swept up in the throes of a passionate romance, was it not?
‘No, that would not do, Evangeline. It was all just an act.
‘Walter wants you by his side for his birthday. That’s why he’s showering you with kindness now, but it’s all for him, all because Minnie didn’t show up.
‘In truth, this whole charade, every last detail, was conjured up by Walter for Minnie. So, Evangeline, you can’t afford to be this weak! Enjoy the moment, sure, but don’t lose yourself in it!
‘Once tonight is over, once dawn breaks, the dream will shatter. You and Walter will part ways, returning to the separate lives you led…‘
Evangeline’s inner pep talk worked wonders, her sense of reason snapping back into place. She approached the mirror and, with a steady hand, unfurled the dress Walter had presented to her.
It was a white silk dress, a testament to impeccable design.
Evangeline’s dress, with its vintage collar and cascading butterfly lace around her midsection, draped over her baby bump in the most flattering way. The gown swept down to her ankles, and the delicate lace trim put the spotlight on her slender, fair ankles.
It was the kind of dress that kept her cozy without weighing her down, stunning without leaving her shivering.
Even on the chilliest winter days, Evangeline felt nothing but warmth wrapped in that fabric.
Catching her reflection, she could not help but smile gracefully, feeling the dress’s embrace.
At first touch, the material had seemed as light as silk, but it was surprisingly toasty, a delightful shock to Evangeline.
Those folks who were always trying to impress Walter must have dug up that quirky, exotic textile from who knows where.
Still, Walter had picked out that dress for her, keeping her comfort in mind. That thought alone made her feel warmer than any dress ever could.
The dress was meant to be paired with heels, but Evangeline had not brought any, and Walter had not
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Chapter 469
thought to provide them. So, flats it was as she stepped out of the room.
Up on the cruise ship’s rooftop, the wind was a wild symphony in Evangeline’s ears, yet her gaze was locked on the scene before her.
Candles danced, and the festive lights swayed, casting a magical glow on everything.
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