bShe /bbstood /bbthere/bb, /bbgently /bbcradling /bher bsmall /bbbaby /bbump, a smile gracing her blips/bb. /b

bOnly /bbEdith /bbknew that /bbSalome’s /bsmiles were never as sweet bas /bthey looked,

bEver /bsince bSalome /bbgot /bpregnantb, /bher bsense /bbof /bimportance had grown tenfold. She never bleft /bbthe /bbhouse /bbwithout /btwo bodyguards trailing behind, making sure everyone bnoticed /bher presenceb. /b

bNow/bb, /bshe gestured for her guards to drop off the wedding gift in the reception hall, then turned to Edith with a beaming, sharine smile.

Edithb, /bof courseb, /bunderstood the game. You don’t p someone who’s smiling at

byou/bb. /b

She forced a polite grin. “You really shouldn’t be on your feet so much with such a delicate pregnancy.”

If anything were to happen to Salome while she was at the Sumners‘, Heather would turn the whole house upside down.

This woman was trouble–wherever she went, disaster was sure to follow.

Salome narrowed her eyes, looking Edith up and down. Though she was smiling, her gaze was sharp with malice.

“I’m only here because I’m happy for you. It’s impressive, really–getting over your husband’s death so quickly and rushing into another marriage. Quite the aplishment!”

Her words dripped with sarcasm, the meaning clear ás day.

Edith let out a coolugh. The so–called agony of widowhood–how could she mourn a husband who was still very much alive? Beckett was alive and well; why should she feel any grief?

Not that she nned to announce the truth to the world.

If Beckett could stoop so low, she might as well use this excuse to finally walk away from him. Besides, sometimes a secret’s power is far greater when it’s left unspoken.

If Salome wanted to mock her, Edith was happy to y along. She gave a little shrug. “What can I do? He’s gone–I have to live my own life.”

Salome nced around, checking that guests were busy at their tables. She leaned

In bclose/bb, /blowering bher /bbvoice/bb. /bbJust /bbmake /bsure byou /breally are bliving /bbyour /bbown /bblife/bb. /bbStop hanging /bbaround /bbBet/bb!/b”

bJayne/bb, /bbwho had /bbeen bmingling with /bbguests /bnearby, saw Salome bsidle /bbup /bbto /bbEdith /bband /bbfelt /bba /bbjolt /bbof /bbunease/b. She shot ba /bpointed look bin /btheir direction.

bEdith /bcaught bJayne’s /bbeye /band subtly waved her boff/bb, /bsignaling she bwas /bbfine/bb, /bbthough /bshe bwas /bbhonestly /bbaffled by Salome’s bantics/b.

b“What /bbare you /btalking babout/b? I’ve moved back with my family, I’m about to remarryb–/bbwhy /bbwould /bbyou /bthink I’m still chasing after him?”

Salome let out a sharp, bitterugh; the fake smile vanished from her face. When it came to this subject, she could barely conceal her fury and disgust.

“If you’re not after him, why does he call your name at night? Why else would he go out drinking every evening? It must be your fault–you put some kind of spell on himb, /byou homewrecker!”

Salome red at Edith as if she could tear her apart with her bare hands.

“You think you can get away with this just because you’re pretty? Don’t push your luck. I swear, I’ll have someone ruin that pretty face if you don’t back off.”

Edith looked into Salome’s venomous eyes and knew she meant every word. A chill crept down her spine, icy and relentless.

She steadied herself, her voice t. “I haven’t seduced your husband. If you have proof, then show it.”

Of course, Salome had no proof.

She could feel her husband slipping away from her, bing someone she no longer recognized. Every night he went out to drink, and when he stumbled home, drunk, he would call out Edith’s name. Salome was almost out of her mind with jealousy and rage.

She was so desperate for someone to me, she’d convinced herself Edith was the culprit.

Unable to provide any evidence, Salome’s bravado abruptly crumbled. Her tone turned pleading as she looked at Edith with desperate eyes. “You’re getting married soon, aren’t you? I heard the Sumners are just using you for money, to solve your father’s case. I know life hasn’t been easy for you. We women should look out for each other, shouldn’t we? I’ve managed to save up some money over the years—I’ll give bit /ball to you if you promise to leave Bet alone.”

15:10

As she spoke, Salome grabbed Edith’s hand in a btight/b, desperate grip, refusing to let go