A faint, bittersweet ache welled up in Justin’s chest.

He parted his lips, his eyes betraying a disappointment he couldn’t hide. “There’s never been any misunderstanding between Lucille and me. If there is, it’s only that she misunderstood. From now on, unless you really want a divorce, don’t mention that word again.”

Edith stared at him, stunned. His expression was so serious–he clearly wasn’t joking.

So… she’d gotten it wrong?

She stammered, “Sorry. I thought you two…”

Justin’s face remained stern, a flicker of irritation crossing his features.

The air between them grew heavy and tense.

Edith drew a shaky breath, then forced herself to change the subject. “I’ve packed up our things. We should get going.”

Justin didn’t reply. He only nodded, moving ahead of her to grab the suitcase before she could.

Edith trailed after him, hands empty, feeling like a scolded child.

Was he angry nowi? /i

She wasn’t sure. Had mentioning divorce offended him? It was only because she worried he’d struggle to bring it up himself that she’d taken the initiative.

Still, she’d exined herself. Shouldn’t that be enough?

She followed Justin out of the hotel, feeling more and more like she’d done something wrong.

The Hawksley family had gathered to see them off. Justin’s face was still set in that same severe mask–he didn’t even bother with a polite smile.

Oliver and Car were all warm farewells. “Justin, you should visit

16.38

Southborough more often! We had so many guests this time, if our hosting fell short, we hope you and Edith will forgive us.”

Edith managed a polite, grateful smile.

Justin, however, didn’t respond at all.

Winston, ever the joker, tried to lighten the mood. “Justin, don’t tell me

you and Edith had a fight? You two look way too serious!”

Pennie, standing at Winston’s side, stifled augh. She thought ito /iherself that Justin and Lucille must have finally cleared up their

misunderstanding and decided to get back together. Edith must have found out and thrown a fit, which would exin why things were iso /itense

now.

Pennie offered Edith a quiet, “Don’t worry, it’ll be okay. Just try not to overthink it.”

Winston shot Pennie a confused look, sensing there was something going on he hadn’t been told.

Justin’s eyes lingered sternly on Pennie. Edith’s earlier words about Lucille weren’t just about Lucille–they had something to do with his

cousin, tooi. /i

Pennie shrank under Justin’s gaze and fell silent.

Edith,pletely unaware of what Pennie was trying tofort her for, simply had nothing ito /isay.

Oliver and Car hurried to smooth things over. “Young couples always bicker” Oliver said with augh. “Nothing brings you closer than a few good arguments.”

After their goodbyes, the car that hade to collect them pulled up to

the hotel entrance.

It was moving fast, and Edith, standing close to the curb, startled as it sped toward her.

Without thinking, Justin pulled her into his arms, shielding her.

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16:38

The driver jumped out, flustered, rushing to help with the luggage.

Justin narrowed his eyes. “What the hell were you thinking, driving like that?”

The driver ducked his head, apologetic. “I’m sorry, Mr. Hawksley. I was worried we’d bete for your flight.”

Edith, still rattled in Justin’s protective embrace, realized just how close she’de to being hit.

Justin refused the driver’s help, hefted the suitcase into the trunk with one hand, and held out his palm for the keys. “Give me the keys. Go.”

Edith blinked in surprise. In all the time she’d known Justin, she’d rarely–if ever–seen him lose his temper at the staff.

Today, he was genuinely upset.

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