Just as Edith hesitated by the door, the suite’s entrance swung open without warning.

Lucille’s tear–streaked face appeared in the doorway, her sorrow reflected in Edith’s startled eyes. Tears clung to Lucille’sshes, threatening to spill

over at any moment.

Standing behind her was Justin, his features as unreadable as ever.

An awkward tension settled over Edith. She shifted to the side, making room by the door. “Am I interrupting? Sorry–I cane backter if you two want to finish talking.”

She hadn’t even finished speaking when a sh of irritation passed across Justin’s face–subtle, but unmistakable. Edith started to step back, intending to close the door quietly behind her, but Justin cut her off with a swift stride and caught her wrist in his hand.

“Mrs. Hawksley, you’re back.” His grip was firm–tighter than usual, as if he was holding on just a bit too hard.

Lucille forced a brittle smile, blinking away her tears. Composed, she said, “Edith, Justin and I are finished talking. It’s gettingte–I’ll head

out.”

Edith nodded, still a little dazed. “Of course. Goodnight…”

Lucille kept her head down as she hurried past, disappearing down the hall. As soon as the door closed behind her, Justin swung it shut with a loud bang that made Edith’s ears ring.

Where on earth did that tempere from? Was he actually upset that she’d interrupted something? But Edith hadn’t even entered the suite–Lucille was the one who’d opened the door first.

Or maybe Justin thought she’d been eavesdropping? Edith quickly looked up, meeting his stormy gaze. “I just got here, honestly. I didn’t hear what you two were talking about…”

16:37

apter

Justin’s frown deepened, annoyance etched in every line of his face. “Where were you?”

Edith answered without hesitation. “The sunset was beautiful tonight. I thought I’d go pick up some paints and try to capture it, but after wandering around for a bit, I didn’t find anything I liked, so I just came back.”

He nodded thoughtfully, rubbing his forehead as if trying ito /iease a headache. “I just finished some work and noticed iyou /iweren’t here. Then I heard someone knock–I assumed it was you, so I opened the door.”

Was that supposed to be an exnation? Edith thought to herself that she wasn’t that petty. If he’d simply let Lucille into the suite, that was hardly a reason to be upset.

“We didn’t talk about anything important,” Justin continued, his voice t. “Lucille wanted to reminisce, but I’m not interested in the past. That’s why she got upset.”

He seemed almost surprised by Edith’s reaction—herck of jealousy or

anger.

Justin’s expression darkened as he pressed her gently but insistently back against the floor–to–ceiling window. “You don’t seem very interested

in what I said.”

He arched an eyebrow, a dangerous glint in his eyes. Edith felt his warm breath on her cheek, and only then did she realize just how close they

were standing.

“Should I be?” she shot back, lifting her chin.

Did he really want her to be the kind of wife who made a scene over every little thing?

Justin narrowed his eyes, studying her. “Shouldn’t you be?”

He tossed the question right back at her, waiting.

Edith had ino /iidea how to answer that. Finally, she spoke honestly. “You

have your own past, and your own privacy. I respect that. Isn’t that how it

i212 /i

16:37

should be?”