Evangeline’s POV
I look up at him and frown, "I was on a first-name basis with all our maids and servants too, darling. That doesn’t mean anything."
He stiffens. I know it’s because of my use of the term darling.
The way his expression momentarily tightens, the sharp flicker in his eyes—it tells me he caught it. That I meant for him to catch it. And yet, I keep my face carefully neutral, refusing to acknowledge the way his body reacts.
I continue smoothly, letting my voice drop to something calmer. "I’m telling you the truth, though. It’s been more than a year since I last saw him, and when we do talk, it’s always him calling from an unknown number to check in. He never tells me where he is."
I spill out the complete truth. It’s useless to him anyway.
His gaze doesn’t leave mine, unw
