Chapter 2 Evelyn wiped her tears and walked back to the family quarters at Evermont Base . She hadn't even reached for the door when Graham stepped out . His eyes flicked with surprise when he saw her . " Evelyn ? Why are you back so suddenly ? Why didn't you call me to come get you ? " Her voice came out dry and trembling . " I did call ... the house phone ... a dozen times . " Graham's face went stiff , like he'd just remembered something . " I'm sorry . It's just - Sophie , the woman I told you about , she's divorced and she's run into trouble . Her parents are gone and she has nobody to lean on . She really needed me , so I- " Evelyn felt a needle of pain jab into her chest . The hurt spread , sharp and small and constant . Sophie needed him , so he left his wife in the middle of funeral arrangements . Sophie needed him , so he ignored the desperate calls . Sophie needed him , so he warmed up the last chicken pot pie her mother had left and handed it to another woman . He always put Sophie first . He'd never bothered to consider how much she needed him then . " She needed you , " Evelyn cut in , her voice thin and distant . " But I needed you that day , too . " Graham blinked , taken aback by the emptiness in her face. A strange , guilty twitch passed through him . He stepped forward and tried , as he used to , to pull her into his arms . " Evelyn , I know losing your mom hit you hard . Don't be scared - I'm here now . I'll stay with you . I'll never leave you . " His embrace was still broad and warm - the refuge she had once clung to - but now it felt like ice against her skin . Evelyn stayed perfectly still in his arms , her heart emptied out . But Graham , I don't need you anymore , she thought . At that moment Sophie appeared , wearing an expression of carefully measured regret . " Oh - Evelyn , you're back ? I'm so sorry , I didn't know about your mother . If I had , I never would've asked Graham to leave at a time like this . I feel terrible . Next time , I'll make sure to send something appropriate . " Chapter 2 8.70 % Evelyn didn't answer . She eased out of Graham's arms and said in a low voice , " I'm tired . I'm going to rest . " She walked past them , shut her bedroom door , and shut out the world . She didn't come out for dinner . Some time later , the door opened again . Graham came in with a bowl of chicken soup , his tone gentle but leaving no room to refuse . " Evelyn , get up and have some soup . You're weak - you can't skip meals . ' She lay with her back to him and didn't respond . " Evelyn , come on . " He sat on the edge of the bed , his voice lowering into that unmistakable , take - charge register he always used . " Do I have to feed you , or will you drink it yourself ? " She knew she couldn't argue . She didn't have the energy . Quietly she sat up and took the bowl . The soup was golden and smelled rich - comfort in a bowl . Once , she would have savored it , sipping slowly until the warmth chased away the ache . Today , she could barely stomach it . After a few forced sips she set the bowl down . Graham's face softened - satisfied that she had at least tried . Then panic flared through her . Her heart raced , her breath came short , and red , itchy welts began to rise across her neck and arms . They burned and stung . Graham noticed at once and frowned . " Evelyn , what's wrong ? " Evelyn fought the discomfort and looked at the soup . Her voice shook . " What ... did you put in this ? " Outside , Sophie's delighted voice sounded like a knife . " Graham , did you put truffle oil in this ? It smells amazing ! I can't believe you remembered it's my favorite after all these years ! " Evelyn's stomach dropped . Cold poured through her . She was severely allergic to truffle oil - just a touch could leave her covered in rashes and gasping for air . For years Graham had been careful , avoiding it whether they ate out or at home ; their kitchen had never even contained truffle oil . But because Sophie liked it , he had apparently forgotten - entirely - about her allergy . And now Chapter 2 8.70 % he had brought that soup to her . Chapter 2 h Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!