[Carter Mansion — Evelyn's Room]
Suitcases lay open on the bed, clothes folded neatly into stacks that made it clear Evelyn wasn't leaving for long.
Patricia sat cross-legged on the floor, holding up a dress. "This one or this one?" she asked. "One says soft fiancée, the other says woman marrying a powerful man who could destroy lives."
Evelyn smiled faintly. "The soft one."
"Boring," Patricia muttered, tossing it aside. "But fine."
Evelyn zipped one suitcase, then hesitated. Her hands rested on the handle longer than necessary.
"Pat," she said quietly.
Patricia looked up immediately. "Uh-oh. That tone means either drama or feelings. Which one?"
"Both, maybe," Evelyn admitted.
She sat down on the edge of the bed. "Jack left."
Patricia blinked. "Left as in stormed out? Or left as in left-left?"
"Left the country," Evelyn said. "Benjamin told Alexander. He said Jack needs space and some away."
Patricia straightened slowly. "That's weird."
