Chapter 285

As the engagement day approached, an unsettling feeling began to linger in Shelmaine's heart. She wondered if she was just overthinking things because she had been so exhausted lately. She could only hope that was the case. Everything would settle down once the engagement was official, and life would get better—or so she tried to convince herself. … The night before the engagement, Isabelle arrived in Aurich. Shelmaine welcomed her, and the two went out for dinner. Isabelle, genuinely happy for her, teased, "It looks like having a man in your life is doing wonders for you. Just look at your glowing complexion!" Shelmaine couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, come on. Give me a break. Stop teasing me." "By the way, I heard Samuel was in a car accident. Luke said it was pretty serious, but I haven't heard any updates since. Did you know about it?" The mention of Samuel caused the smile on Shelmaine's face to fade. "I know he had an accident, but I don't know how he's doing now." She hadn