Unmasking the Heiress

"Health? Why bother fussing over this old body?" Cole's voice was heavy with bitterness. "Trapped in this massive, empty house all day, forbidden from stepping outside-it might as well be a prison. I've lived a full life, and I'm done with these bitter concoctions!" Evangeline's eyes sparkled with understanding as she realized her hunch was right.

Her grandfather might have thrown in the towel, but she had a trick up her sleeve.

"Don't you want to meet your great-grandson?" She set aside her spoon and gently patted her growing belly. "Grandpa, this little rascal is a real handful. He's always doing somersaults inside, eager to pop out and see you!"

Cole's eyes lit up with a mix of joy and regret. "Of course, my great-grandson! How could that slip my mind?"

When the maid came back, she found them in a fit of giggles and wondered what had happened. A quick glance revealed the chicken soup bowl, polished clean.

"Ms. Evangeline, your oatmeal is ready."

Evangeline did not even glance at the bowl, with a subtle look, she signaled for the maid to pass it to Cole.

To the maid's astonishment, Cole took it and devoured it eagerly, savoring every spoonful.

With the oatmeal finished and a contented burp, Cole settled beside Evangeline.

As she munched on fruit and got lost in her show, Cole felt the urge to ask about something that had been nagging at him.

While Evangeline was away, his biggest concern had been her and Walter's relationship.

Every time they visited, Evangeline and Walter were all smiles and sweet gestures, but Cole could not shake the feeling that something was off. He just could not rest easy without asking.

"Evie, can I ask you something?" Cole broke the tension.

A wave of gread crept up

Evangeline's spine, but she kept her

composure. "Of course, Grandpa. Go

ahead, why beat around the bush?"

To cover up her jitters, Evangeline casually popped a piece of melon into her mouth.

"How are things with you and Walter lately? You guys haven't been fighting, have you?" "Ack!"ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

The melon went down the wrong pipe, and Evangeline hacked away until she finally got it out. "Grandpa! Me and Walter, fighting? What made you think of that?"

Under Cole's watchful eye, Evangeline got serious and lifted her right hand for him to see. "Check this out. What do you think?"

A glint of gold circled her slender wrist. It was only upon a closer look that one could make out the intricate gold bracelet.

"A gold bracelet? That's a new look for you. Did you just get it?" Cole eyed her with a hint of suspicion.

"Cough, cough!" Evangeline cleared her throat, ready to show off her new find.

"Walter and picked this out a few days ago! We even got two, planning that if we have a daughter, she and I will each

wear one." Contest

belongs

"And if it's a boy?" Cole echoed the very question Evangeline had once asked.

Evangeline was not fazed by that question at all.

"Walter said that if we have a boy, we can always try for another, right?"