When Soren slid into the driver’s seat, Evangeline hesitated for a moment, then quietly opened the back door and got in. 

She hadn’t ridden in Soren’s car very often. There was that one time, though, when she’d climbed into the passenger seat, only to notice a sticker on the dashboard: *Reserved for Poppy–No Trespassing.” 

Evangeline never figured out if Soren had put it there himself, or if Poppy had claimed the spot. Either way, Soren allowed it to stay. The message was clear–the passenger seat belonged to Poppy. 

Even as his wife, Evangeline was just an interloper. 

Soren glanced back at her sitting in the rear, but said nothing except, “Buckle up.” 

He started the engine, and silence filled the car for the entire drive. Neither said a word. 

After about fifteen minutes, Soren pulled up in front of an amusement park. 

He got out without a word. Evangeline, thoroughly confused, followed him. 

“What are we doing here?” she asked. 

Soren was brief as always. “Having fun.” 

*?” 

“I remember you once said you wanted to experience an amusement park at night. Tonight, I’m here with you, so you can enjoy it as much as you like,” he added. 

Only then did Evangeline notice that the park’s rides were still lit up and running. The ferris wheel, which should have shut down by now, was still turning against the night sky–brilliant, yet lonely. 

This was the largest amusement park in Serenity City. By day, it was packed; she remembered once waiting in line for three hours with Theresa just to ride the ferris wheel. 

On her birthday, making a wish, she’d offhandedly mentioned wanting to visit the park at night. She hadn’t thought Soren was listening. 

Had he also heard her first two wishes, but just pretended he hadn’t? 

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19:17 m 

Chapter 133 

Evangeline gave a wry smile.. 

Of all her wishes, this was the only one that had nothing to do with Poppy. 

At twenty–four, Evangeline and Soren were already divorced, but the nineteen–year–old version of herself had loved him desperately. 

Now, at twenty–four, she no longer cared for midnight amusement parks–but her nineteen–year–old self had once stood before a birthday cake aglow with candles, wishing Soren would someday see her as someone special, as the only one. 

Tonight, maybe she could give that younger self one last celebration before their marriage ended for good. 

“Are you really staying with me tonight?” she asked. 

Soren nodded. “When have I ever gone back on my word?” 

el 

“Then I want to go on every single ride,” Evangeline said, testing him. 

“Deal,” he replied. 

That was all she needed. Without another word, she strode through the park gates. 

With no lines to wait in, she tore through the attractions, sampling nearly half the park’s rides in under an hour–everything from the carousel for kids, to the ferris wheel for couples, to the roller coaster for thrill–seekers. 

And she didn’t go alone–she dragged Soren onto the rides with her. 

But Soren had a fear of heights. By the time they got off the ferris wheel, he looked pale as a ghost. 

When she wanted to try the roller coaster, he flat–out refused. 

Evangeline didn’t push. She hopped in alone, letting the attendant check her harness. 

Soon, the roller coaster rattled into motion. 

Soren stood outside the ferice, watching her silhouette flash by, listening to her laughter. For a moment, he was lost in thought. 

It had been ages since he’d heard her laugh like that. 

And strangely, hearing her so happy made him feel lighter too. 

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