CHAPTER 23: MARGARET’S ACCOMPLICE

[Pauline’s Residence]

Evelyn stepped out of the car, holding a neat bouquet of white lilies close to her chest.

Pauline Reid’s house stood at the edge of the hill. It was a graceful, sunlit home surrounded by trimmed hedges and trees.

It was peaceful in a way Evelyn hadn’t felt in weeks, especially not since the chaos of her breakup and the relentless stares that followed wherever she went.

’No wonder she moved here,’ Evelyn thought as she walked up the cobblestone path. As she entered further into the property, it gave her a sense of unconditional warmth and peace.

When she arrived at the main entrance of the house, she hesitated, tightening her hold on the bouquet.

She always knew Pauline stayed apart from the main mansion but this was her first time visiting.

When she was dating Jack, he had rarely mentioned his mother and almost avoided the topic, as if talking about her was some kind of offence. He had always been more attached to Olivia, his step mother, and Evelyn had never truly understood why.

Before she could overthink it, the door opened.

"Evelyn—" Pauline’s gentle voice carried the warmth of a familiar melody. The older woman stood there, dressed simply in a pale blue cardigan and her silver-streaked hair tied loosely. Her eyes softened when they met Evelyn’s.

"Mrs. Reid," Evelyn said, almost awkwardly, lifting the bouquet slightly. "I—um, brought you these. My mother said you like lilies."

A bright smile spread across Pauline’s face. "Oh, she remembers right. I adore them." She took the flowers delicately and inhaled their scent before looking back at Evelyn. "And it’s Pauline, dear. None of this ’Mrs. Reid’ business here. You will make me feel ancient if you continue calling me that."

Evelyn’s lips curved into a shy smile. "Sorry."

"Well, we will fix that over tea." Pauline said lightly, stepping aside. "Come in, sweetheart. I was hoping you would come early so we can chat a little before mother arrives."

Evelyn followed her inside and immediately warmth greeted her. The sunlight streamed through the curtains and there was a faint scent of jasmine and tea leaves which felt very pleasant.

There were also many photographs lining the walls of Margaret, Benjamin, Alexander and then Jack and her gaze lingered on the last one longer than she meant to.

Pauline noticed. "These were taken a long time ago," she said quietly, arranging the lilies in a glass vase. "The kids were little and look at mother, she was so young."

There was a look in Pauline’s eyes that made Evelyn feel sad. She quickly changed the topic. "I wasn’t sure if I should come after everything that happened. I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable."

Pauline turned to her with a kindness that disarmed her completely. "Oh Evelyn, you didn’t do anything wrong."

Her tone carried the soft finality of a truth Evelyn hadn’t allowed herself to believe yet.

Pauline continued "Jack made his choices. I don’t condone them and I don’t blame you for them either." She gently placed her hand on Evelyn’s. "You were good to him and I could see that. The rest—" She sighed, setting the vase on the table. "The rest was his doing."

Evelyn’s lips trembled with a small grateful smile. "Thank you. I didn’t expect you to be so kind."

"I am not kind," Pauline corrected softly. "Just fair."

Pauline poured her a cup of tea and smiled. "I am glad mother called you," she said softly. "She has been quite taken with you since the last time she saw you."

Evelyn smiled faintly, wrapping her hands around the warm cup. "I was surprised she remembered me and when she called me yesterday, I wondered how she found my number."

Pauline laughed gently. "Oh, she always finds her way when she wants something done. She must have decided you were due for another visit."

Evelyn chuckled under her breath. "That sounds exactly like her."

"She should be back soon," Pauline said, glancing toward the garden visible through the window. "She takes a walk every morning before breakfast. She says it helps her ’clear her mind of family nonsense,’ though I suspect it’s just an excuse to gossip with the gardener."

That drew a genuine laugh from Evelyn. "That I can picture perfectly."

Pauline’s smile deepened and for a brief moment, the silence between them felt soft and easy. It was shared with understanding rather than awkwardness.

For the first time since the scandal broke, Evelyn didn’t feel like she was walking through a storm, rather she felt safe.

Just as Pauline was about to refill Evelyn’s cup, the faint rhythm of a cane echoed down the hallway, followed by a familiar spirited voice.

"Pauline! If that gardener insists on trimming my rose bushes like they are soldiers in formation, I might just fire him myself.""

Pauline chuckled softly. "That will be mother," she said, amusement dancing in her voice.

Moments later, Margaret appeared at the doorway, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a light shawl draped elegantly around her shoulders.

Her eyes brightened immediately when they landed on Evelyn.

"Well, there is my little accomplice!" she exclaimed. "Right on time and with flowers, no less. You put the rest of them to shame, my dear."

Evelyn rose to greet her. "Good morning, Mrs. Reid. I hope I am not too early."

"Too early?" Margaret echoed, waving a hand dismissively as she removed her hat. "My dear, I have been up since dawn plotting this event. I could use some young energy around here."

Pauline stood to embrace her mother-in-law, her expression filled with quiet affection. "Mother, you say that as though you weren’t out-walking half the neighborhood again."

Margaret sniffed. "Exercise keeps me sharp. You should try it sometime instead of sitting here looking graceful all morning."

Pauline laughed softly, shaking her head. "Evelyn, over the years many things have changed in our family but mother hasn’t changed at all."

"And I don’t intend to," Margaret replied, lowering herself carefully into a chair. Then, glancing at Evelyn, she added warmly, "Now, come sit beside me, dear. We have got charity work to discuss and I need your opinion before the old bats at the club start pecking away at my plans."

Evelyn obeyed with a small smile, feeling the earlier nervousness in her chest ease away. There was something about Margaret’s commanding yet affectionate presence that always made people fall into her rhythm.

Pauline poured another cup of tea for her mother-in-law, her voice gentle. "You do realize you could let the others handle things for once?"

Margaret arched her brow. "And let Olivia prance about pretending she runs the club? Not in this lifetime."

Pauline chuckled, setting the cup down in front of her. "Ah, so that’s why you needed Evelyn."

Margaret’s eyes glinted with mischief. "Partly. The other part is that she is far more pleasant company than half the committee."

Evelyn smiled, shaking her head. "You give me too much credit, Mrs. Reid."

"Nonsense. You have got good sense and a calm head and that is something very rare to find these days," Margaret said, taking a sip of tea. "And besides, I thought it was about time I introduced you to Pauline properly. You two should know each other."

At that, Pauline’s smile softened and she reached out to squeeze Evelyn’s hand gently. "I’m very glad you came, dear. It’s been a long time since I have had such lovely company."

Evelyn felt a warmth bloom in her chest. Between Margaret’s lively spark and Pauline’s quiet grace, the heaviness that had followed her since the scandal felt like it was completely lifting.

Just as Evelyn was about to speak, the sound of footsteps echoed faintly from the hallway.

She turned toward the source and her words faded on her tongue.

....