Meda wasn’t one for long-winded arguments. Seeing Evelyn concede, she huffed, "Fine. Let's get moving. I still have dinner to cook."

Evelyn followed the group down the mountain. The early risers had filled their baskets to the brim. On the trek back to the village, Tess chattered enthusiastically about Chicken and Wild Mushrooms—a northern staple. By the time they reached the village gates, both girls were salivating.

But reality was a cold shower. Evelyn had no poultry in her Space, and Tess’s family wouldn't dream of slaughtering a hen just for a batch of honey mushrooms. Under current regulations, a single household was restricted to four chickens and one pig. If you opted out of the pig, you could raise three geese—though geese were notoriously gluttonous, eating more than they were worth.

Tess’s family kept geese; the occasional goose egg was their only luxury.

As they reached the row of small houses, Evelyn’s lighthearted mood evaporated. Serafina was standing by her door. Tess caught the shift in Evelyn’s expression and gave her a lingering look, silently offering to step in if things got ugly. Evelyn nodded a quick thanks.

Serafina had been waiting for over an hour. Seeing Evelyn return laughing and talking with another girl—someone who wasn’t her—made her look even more fragile. For years, Evelyn had been her shadow, her only "friend."

"Evelyn..." Serafina called out, her voice a soft, wounded plea.

Evelyn didn't slow down. She unlocked the heavy padlock, stepped inside, and slammed the door. She didn't check behind her.

Thud.

The heavy wood caught Serafina right on the bridge of her nose. A sharp cry escaped her as blood began to bloom against her pale skin.

Evelyn heard the pained shriek from the other side of the door. She didn't blink. She simply began putting her things away.

Outside, clutching her throbbing face, Serafina’s eyes flashed with a sudden, venomous hatred. You little bitch! she screamed internally. But when she spoke, her voice remained a trembling, heartbreaking melody.

"Evelyn! Please, open the door. I just want to talk to you."

Silence.

"If you don't believe me," Serafina cried, sounding more desperate by the second, "I’ll have Julian come here and tell you himself!"

She expected the mention of Julian to act like a master key. In the past, Evelyn would do anything for a scrap of news about him. But the door remained shut.

"Before I left, Julian told me he would find the money," Serafina added, playing her high card. "He said if you just apologize to his parents, the wedding is still on. You can come home, Evelyn."

Evelyn leaned against the door, her lip curling in a cold sneer. His parents? "The wedding is dead," she said, her voice muffled but firm through the wood. "The five thousand was for my damaged reputation. Whether I lost it or spent it, that money is mine. It has nothing to do with his parents."

Serafina’s heart leaped. She answered. She still cares about Julian. "Evelyn, you’ve misunderstood everything between Julian and me. We grew up together. Do you really think I’m that kind of person?"

Evelyn felt a surge of violent energy clawing at her chest—a remnant of a lifetime of betrayal. "Serafina," she said, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Do you really think I don't know what you arranged on Peace Road?"

Serafina’s pupils contracted. She stumbled back several steps, her breath hitching. How? How could she possibly know?

On the wedding night, Serafina had intentionally lured Julian away, playing on his pity to keep him at her side for twenty-four hours. It wasn't just about jealousy; it was about destroying Evelyn. She had hired two men to wait for Evelyn on her usual route home—Peace Road—planning to create a scandal that would ruin the girl forever. A "shameful" secret she could use to drag Evelyn into hell whenever she pleased.

But Evelyn hadn't taken Peace Road that night. The thugs had waited in vain.

Serafina had assumed it was a fluke of luck. But now... Evelyn spoke as if she had seen the whole blueprint. Only Jax and Wayne knew, Serafina thought frantically. Did they sell me out?

"I... I don't know what you're talking about," Serafina stammered. "What's Peace Road? Did something happen there?"

"Jax and Wayne," Evelyn said plainly. "Don't pretend you haven't heard the names. If I go to the police, how long do you think it will take for them to point the finger at the girl who paid them?"

Serafina’s stomach plummeted. She knows their names. "Evelyn, are they telling you lies? I don't even know who they are! Please, don't listen to them."

Evelyn marveled at the thickness of the girl's skin. A knife couldn't pierce it. "I don't know them either," Evelyn lied, her voice smooth. "But they have no reason to lie to me, do they?"

She figured if she could bait Serafina into a corner, she could let the "dogs bite dogs." Let Serafina handle the thugs herself; it would save Evelyn the trouble.

Serafina’s jaw tightened. Those two bastards, she thought, her mind already spinning with ways to silence them. They took her money and then traded her name for a favor?

"Evelyn, think what you want of me," Serafina said, taking a deep breath to steady her voice. "But I can't watch you suffer out here. I’ll give you my job. You can take my place at the union. Just come back to the city."

It was a brilliant move. She knew she could never marry into Julian’s family on her own—not without a scandal. She needed a "proxy wife," someone she could control. Evelyn was perfect. Once Evelyn was back in the city and under her thumb again, Serafina could play the long game.

"A relocation order is final for a year," Evelyn said flatly. "I can't go back even if I wanted to."

Serafina froze. She hadn't realized the law was that strict. "I’ll find a way! I promise, Evelyn, I will get you out!"

Evelyn snorted and went back to her mushrooms.

Unbeknownst to them, Caleb had been lurking in the shadows, listening to the entire exchange. He was moved to his core. Serafina is a saint, he thought. She’s willing to give up her career, her comfort, everything—just for Evelyn!

He hurried back to the dormitory to report to Dominic.

"We can't let her do it," Dominic said, his heart swelling with admiration for Serafina’s "kindness." "Evelyn made her bed; she can sleep in it. She needs to learn that her actions have consequences."

Caleb nodded. "But Serafina cares so much. She won't stop trying to help."

"Let her wait the year out," Dominic decided, his face grim. "By then, Julian will owe it to her to find Evelyn a position. It’s the least he can do."

When Serafina returned to the barracks, the two brothers treated her like a visiting queen.

Hazel watched from the corner, her teeth gritted. Shameless little fox. I hope she rots.

The dormitory was crowded—nineteen people sharing one stove. They lived on thin soup and coarse grain, eating just enough to survive until the heavy harvest began. Serafina, unlike Caleb, hid her disgust perfectly. She forced down a mouthful of the pungent bean paste and smiled brightly. "Oh! This is actually... quite flavorful."

Dominic’s eyes turned soft. "I’ll make sure you take some back to the city with you. We made it ourselves."

"I’d love that, Dominic," she chirped.

Hazel’s voice cut through the air like a knife. "Serafina, I saw you went to see Evelyn this morning. Did she finally forgive you for taking her man?"

The room went silent. Serafina’s head bowed, the picture of tragic grace. "I'm sure I can make her understand in time."

"It’s not your fault if she’s too stubborn to see the truth," Dominic said, glaring at Hazel.

Serafina sighed, looking down at her hands. "I just hate seeing her suffer. I don't know how to help her..."

Dominic felt a surge of irritation toward his sister. "Maybe she needs a little suffering. With a temper like hers, a year in the dirt might be the only thing that saves her from herself."