The Thorne Heiress Unveiling Shadow novel Chapter 60

They timed their visit to the church's weekend bake sale perfectly. The event was a cornerstone of Havenwood's social life, a gathering of the entire town on the sun-dappled lawn next to the historic, white-steepled church. They saw Martha Gable almost immediately. She was volunteering at a stall, serving lemonade and chatting with her neighbors, looking every bit the kind, gentle soul who had retired to a quiet life. She seemed relaxed, happy, and completely oblivious to the invisible war that was about to descend upon her.

Kaelen took on the role of overwatch, his back to Evelyn, pretending to be engrossed in a conversation about real estate with a local man, but his eyes were constantly scanning the crowd, a silent, watchful predator. Evelyn, holding two cups of lemonade, approached Martha's table.

She put on the persona they had so carefully crafted: the happy, slightly overwhelmed fiancée. "This is such a lovely town," she began, her voice warm and friendly. "My fiancé and I are thinking of buying a place here, a place to find some peace and quiet before the wedding madness begins."

Martha smiled, a genuine, kind expression. "It is a peaceful place," she agreed. "A good place to forget the troubles of the world."

"That's what I'm hoping for," Evelyn said, her voice dropping slightly, a carefully constructed note of vulnerability entering her tone. "The world can be a very scary place. Sometimes, you see things you wish you could unsee, you know?"

She saw a flicker of something in Martha's eyes—a distant, haunted look of recognition. She had her. The hook was set. "I'm a nurse, actually," Evelyn lied smoothly. "Or I was. I worked in a neonatal ward for a while. It was rewarding, but... sometimes, it was hard. You carry things with you."

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