1505

bChapter /bb5 /b

bEdith /bgritted her bteeth /bagainst the sharp pain in her abdomen as she stepped out of bSalome’s /bhospital room.

The moment she left, she nearly collided with Beckett, who was carefully carrying a bow! of nourishing soup. His mother–Edith’s mother–inw–followed close behind with a te of tart apricots that Salome had specifically requested.

Beckett had eyes only for Salome. As he squeezed past Edith in the doorway, he shoved her aside without a second nce, sending her stumbling against the wall.

He hurried to Salome’s bedside, his voice unusually tender. “This soup isn’t the best, but try to eat a little. Next week, I’ll have my assistant bring you something special from overseas.”

Salome’s rage vanished in an instant. She beamed up at Beckett, her eyes sparkling with affection. “You’re getting too good to me, darling. You’ll spoil me at this rate.”

Beckett sat beside her, gently brushing her hair away from her forehead. “Silly girl, you’re pregnant now. Who else am I supposed to spoil if not you?”

Edith’s mother–inw shot her a sideways re, her voice tinged with annoyance. “Edith, what’s with that face? Your sister–inw is expecting. You should be happy for her.b” /b

It was no secret that her mother–inw had long harbored resentment toward Edith. After all, Edith and Beckett had been trying for a baby for ages, and it wasn’t the first time she’d suggested Edith see Dr. White to find out what was wrong. But Edith had always brushed her off, and as the months dragged on, her mother–inw grew convinced that Edith simply wanted to enjoy her married life without any real thought for the Vance family’s dwindling line.

Edith’s pain was so intense she could barely speak. She steadied herself against the wall, sweat gathering on her brow and seeping into her clothes.

To her mother–inw, though, the sight was just proof of Edith’s resentment and jealousy. In her eyes, a woman who couldn’t bear children was already a burden–what right had she to be envious, or to sulk? If Edith couldn’t give the family a child, she had no business begrudging Salome for doing so.

Edith clung to the wall, catching the flicker of Beckett’s gaze as he nced her way. She didn’t believe for a second that Beckett didn’t know what was happening to her. He just chose to ignore it.

15.05

bChapter /b5

bBiting /bbback /bbthe /bbpain/bb, /bbEdith /bbfinally spoke/b. “I’m bnot /bbfeeling /bbwell/b.”

Her bmother/bb–/bbin/bb–/bwb, /bclearly irritated, ced the apricots on Salome’s nightstand and bwaved /bher away. “Alright, alright, go home, then! Don’t hang around here and upset bSalome/b. The only thing that matters right now is keeping this precious baby safe. bThat’s /bwhat’s important to the Vance family.”

Salome shot Edith a triumphant, taunting look, as if to say: See? Everyone in the Vance family treats me like something precious. No one gives a damn about you, Edith.

Edith returned to the Vance family estate and, the moment she walked through the door, called her mother, Jayne.

She stepped out onto her bedroom balcony, where an easel and wooden chair sat in the sunlight. Edith had studied art in college; after marrying Beckett, she’d be a full–time housewife, spending her free moments painting on this balcony. Beckett would sometimes join her, sharingughter andzy afternoons. Now, that once joyful corner only stung to look at.

Pressing her phone close, Edith kept her voice light. “Mom, can youe get me this week? Beckett’s gone. There’s no reason for me to stay with the Vances anymore.”

Jayne had wanted to bring Edith back home for a while, but she’d worried her daughter’s longing for Beckett would keep her trapped. Still, now that Edith was asking, Jayne was overjoyed. “Of course, sweetheart! Come home. Once you’re back with the Sumner family, you can cut ties with the Vances, meet new people, and start fresh. I’lle get you this week!”

But as they spoke, Jayne’s tone grew heavy. “Edith… the Vances called. About your father’s case. They’ve hired some topwyers. Beckett wasn’t the only tough one in that family. We don’t need their favors, Edith. I don’t want you to have to bow your head and suffer any more for their sake…”

Edith leaned on the balcony railing, gazing out over the Vance estate. “Mom, Beckett was never all that different from the rest of them.”

Jayne didn’t quite understand what her daughter meant. To her, Edith had loved Beckett so deeply; now that he was gone, how could she bear to speak ill of him?

Hearing her mother’s confusion, Edith smiled faintly. “It’s nothing, Mom. Just remember–anything the Vances give uses with a price. For now, let’s just ept it for what it is.”

15.05

bChapter /bb6 /b