And now she had. That was enough.

Just watching how swiftly the Hawksleys handled the situation with Kearney made Edith realize their family operated on a whole different level from the Vances.

Edith squeezed Jayne’s hand. “Mom, you’re overthinking it. There’s nothing wrong with Mr. Hawksley, I was just making conversation.”

She’d figured it out–this was a world that cared about actions, not intentions.

It was easy to spot those who acted with real purpose. To Edith, the Hawksleys were exactly that kind of people.

She also understood now that chasing after illusions was pointless. It was better to find someone who truly cared for both her and the Sumners.

“Mom, did the Hawksleys set a date?

They had, but Jayne hadn’t mentioned it yet. With Beckett only recently gone, she hated the idea of rushing her daughter into another marriage.

“They did,” Jayne admitted, “They’re hoping for the end of this month. But Edith, if you feel it’s too soon, we can talk to them. The Hawksleys are a big family, but they’d never disrespect us.”

Edith shook her head, lips curving in a gentle smile. “No, it’s not too soon at all. If anything, it feels overdue.”

News of Justin nning to marry a divorced woman was the talk of Northcrest.

E NEW IS

Everyone gossiped, but the Hawksleys kept the woman’s identity tightly under wraps. Rumors flew, but no one actually knew who she was.

Heather Preston only heard about it from her old social circle, and out of boredom, she brought it up at the Vance family dinner table.

15.08

bAs /bbSalome /bpicked bat /bbher /blemon butter fish, bshe /bblistened /bto bHeather recount the /btest bNorthcrest /bgossip. Whether bit /bwas the tartness bof /bthe fish or the shock at bthe /bnewsb, /bshe frowned and eximed, “No way! That’s got to be a wild rumor. I met bJustin /bbwith /bBet a couple of years ago–he’s charming, handsome, and the Hawksleys are on the rise. Why would he marry a divorced woman?”

Heather pursed her lips, clearly annoyed at her daughter–inw’s skepticism. “Please, all my friends are society women. If they can’t keep their ears to the ground, what are they even doing in Northcrest?”

Salome caught the warning in Heather’s nce and immediately fell silentb, /bnot daring to question further.

Seeing the tension, Beckett quickly changed the subject as he served Salome another helping. “The doctor’s blood test results came in, Mom. You were right–Salome’s expecting a boy.”

At that, Heather was so excited she could barely hold her fork, nearly throwing her arms around Salome in joy.

“I knew it! Our Salome is amazing–first try and it’s a son. That other woman was nothing but a barren hen, sitting on her hands and nearly ruining the Vance family’s future!”

Salome looked puzzled. “Mom, what does ‘sitting on her hands‘ mean?”

Realizing she’d let her tongue run away with her, Heather quickly covered her tracks with augh. “Just something silly I blurted out, dear. Tell you what–once you’re feeling up for it, let’s go shopping. My treat!”

Salome beamed. This was the kind of life she’d never even dared to imagine before.

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