bChapter /bb10 /b

There was something almost smug about Salome, as bif /bshe’d managed to y the bvictim /bafter getting exactly what she wanted.

bBut /bonly Edith knew the truth–Salome had never managed to take anything from

bher/b.

Wounded? What right did Salome have to feel wounded?

This was never meant to be her home in the first ce.

Edith packed her suitcase in a matter of minutes. She’d never been one for possessions–just a few clothes, and most of what she owned was tied to Beckett. She didn’t want to bring any of those things with her.

Beckett nced at her half–filled carry–on, concern creasing his brow. “You might be staying at the Sumner ce for a while. Are you sure that’s all you need?”

To Salome, though, Edith’s light packing was nothing but a sign she wasn’t willing to leave the n must be to stay at the Sumners‘ for a few days beforeing

back.

Feigning weakness, Salome leaned into Beckett’s shoulder and whined, “Bet, my stomach hurts…”

His attention snapped away from Edith, all worry and tenderness for Salome. “Where does it hurt? I’ll get the doctor!”

Without waiting for an answer, he began calling for the family physician, all flustered concern.

No sooner had Beckett hurried off than Salome’s expression shifted, the mask dropping. She looked at Edith’s closed suitcase and sneered, “Just a few things? nning to stay with the Sumners for a while and then sneak back here? Dream on, Edith.”

Edith’s lips pressed into a thin line. She grabbed her suitcase and headed for the door; just exchanging words with Salome felt exhausting.

But to Salome, her silence was just guilt.

Salome surged forward, grabbing Edith’s wrist with a surprising grip. “You just can’t give up, can you?”

She couldn’t stand the thought of anyone else coveting her husband.

15:06

bPain /bbshot /bbup /bbEdith’s /bbarm/bb. /bbShe /bbturned/bb, /bbmeeting Salome’s hate/bb–/bbfilled /bbeyes/bb. /bb“/bbSo /bbthis /bis byour /bbn/bb? /bbHiding /bbout /bat the bSumners/b‘, waiting bfor /bbyour /bchance? You think you’re bclever/bb? /bbYou’ll /bnever learn buntil /bbit’s /btooteb!/bb” /b

bFootsteps /bechoed on the spiral staircase–Beckett was already returning with the bdoctor/bb. /b

bBefore /bEdith could answer, Salome let out a sudden shriek and stumbled toward the bdoor/bb, /bclutching her stomach. “Ah!”

Beckett’s footsteps quickened. He wasn’t even at the top of the stairs yet when his anxious voice rang out, “Salome! What happened?”

Salome sank to her knees by the door, tears streaming down her face as she fixed Edith with a trembling, wounded look. “Edith! I always treated you like a sister, and you pushed me?”

Edith stared at Salome in disbelief, utterly speechless. If Salome’s acting talents weren’t wasted here, she could easily take home an Oscar.

Beckett knelt beside Salome, panic in his voice. “Did Edith push you?”

Salome nodded, dabbing at her eyes as she sobbed, “I just wanted her to take some time at the Sumners‘, to help her heal, not to drive her away. How could she think I’d ever do that? Even after Beckett’s ident, I’ve always cared for her like family…”

ying the perfect victim, Salome’s words were honeyed with concern and sorrow, as if she could swallow any injustice‘ with grace.

Edith was almost impressed–how could someone lie so brazenly, without even blushing?

Beckett looked up at Edith, his eyes suddenly cold and sharp. “Are you out of your mind? Salome’s pregnancy is fragile enough as it is. How dare you push her? If anything happens to her or the baby, could you live with yourself?”

Themotion drew Beckett’s mother in. Flushed with anger, she rushed at Edith, shoving her hard.

Even bracing herself against the doorframe, Edith couldn’t withstand the older woman’s strength. She stumbled back, tripping over her suitcase and crashing to the floor.

Her knee scraped hard against the polished wood, blood welling up from the cut. She sucked in a sharp breath, pain blooming in her leg.

15:06

Her mother–inw’s furyshed out again. “You can’t have children yourself, and now you want to hurt Salome? Get the driver! Send her back to the Sumners–right now!”

15.06