Pasting on a strained smile, she quickly backpedaled, “That’s not what I meant, Brother Chris. I only meant that... maybe I could help? I know women best, after all. I could make sure Evelyn’s dream wedding is exactly what she wants. It’d be a nice surprise.”
Christopher studied her for a long moment, the ice in his eyes thawing just slightly. Finally, he gave a small nod. “Fine. I’ll leave it to you. But use this chance to build a better relationship with her. Evelyn is your future sister-in-law and the two of you shouldn’t be at odds all the time. It makes things... difficult for me.”
Charlotte’s nails dug into the palm of her hand, but her smile remained intact.
“Got it,” she said, her voice dripping with false enthusiasm. “I’ll take care of it.”
***
Evelyn returned home late that evening, her body trembling from hours spent in the snow.
The nanny helped her inside, but the warmth of the house offered little relief. The sudden change in temperature sent jolts of pain through her body, as though needles were piercing her skin. Her legs throbbed with an excruciating ache, as if thousands of nails were driven into her bones.