No bsooner /bbhad /bbEdith /bbfinished /bbspeaking /bthan bSalome /bburst binto /bloudb, /bdramatic bsobs/bb, /bbBeckett/b, bvisibly agitated/bb, /bbrushed /bbto /bpull Salome into his arms. He shot Edith a sharp bre/bb. /bb“/bbEdith/bb! /bbCan’t /bbyou /bshow a blittle /bmaturity? If you’ve done something wrongb, /bbjust /bapologize bproperly/b!”

bEdith’s /bbrow furrowed. Sob, /bit really was possible tough in sheer disbelief.

She pointed at herself. “I’m the one who’s being immature? I’m the one who’s in the bwrong/b? Fine. Fine. Fine!”

Each word was bitten out between cleriched teeth. “It’s all my fault, alright? Now, bcan /byou all get out of my bedroom?”

Her mother–inw’s lips curled with disapproval. “Edith, if you’re going to apologize, at least look like you mean it. Otherwise how is Salome supposed to feel better?”

Beckett was growing anxious too.

He hadn’t expected Salome to return from the hospital so suddenly–let alone to walk in on this scene.

If anything happened to the baby, everything he’d done this past month would be for nothing. Who knew how long it would be before he could go back to Edith then?

Watching Salome’s distress escte, he could only fix Edith with a cold, demanding

look.

To Edith, his gaze was nothing short of vicious.

How had those once loving eyes turned into something so hard and full of resentment? Now, all she saw was usation and disgust, like shards of ss dipped in poison.

Before Beckett could say another word, Edith braced herself on the edge of the bed and stood up. “You’re not leaving? Fine, I will!”

She’d barely taken two steps toward the door before Salome wailed, her voice full of wounded pride, “Mom! Beckett! Look at her attitude! She’s the one who did something wrong, but she’s still acting so defiant. My stomach… it hurts so much!”

Beckett’s patience snapped. Terrified something might happen to Salome’s baby, he shot up and grabbed Edith’s arm, his voice low and threatening. “Edith, don’t forget about your father…”

b15:05 /b

bEdith /bbnced back/bb, /bbmeeting /bBeckett’s bnow/bb–/bbunfamiliar /beyes. bShe /bwould never bhave /bbimagined /bbhe’d /bbuse /bher bfather’s /bbsituation /bas ckmail, bjust /bto force an bapology /bbto /bbSalome/bb. /b

bWhat a /bbheartless/bb, /bfaithless Vance family.

Her father’s issue had already been settled–with a massive favor owed to Dr. bWhite/bb, /bno less.

But Beckett clearly banked on her being unable to risk her father’s wellbeing.

Swallowing the pain in her abdomen, Edith turned to face the spoiled and self–satisfied Salome. “Fine. I’m sorryb, /bit’s all my fault.”

Seeing Edith finally yield, a sh of triumph crossed Salome’s face.

But Salome wasn’t about to let things go that easily. Instead, she looked up at Beckett and her mother–inw, putting on a fragile, needy act. “Mom, Beckett, could you both give us a moment? I need to talk to Edith alone.”

Her mother–inw knew, deep down, that Edith was the one being wronged, but it didn’t matter. The Vance family’s priorities were obvious now. If Edith couldn’t give them a child, then she’d just have to put up with this kind of treatment.

Once Beckett and his mother left, Salome’s mask dropped. Gone was the tearful victim; she crossed her legs, lounged back, and smirked at Edith. “Tell me, Edith, what do you have topete with me? What makes you think you can take my husband? You really think your looks are enough?”

Edith’s eyes narrowed. “When did you start getting so paranoid? I have zero interest in stealing your husband.”

But it didn’t matter what Edith said. Salome wasn’t listening.

When the news of the crash came that night, Salome had been paralyzed with fear. The report said one person had died, another survived. She hadn’t dared to imagine what she’d do if the victim was her own husband.

The Vale family had been leeching off the Vance family for years. Without their support, the Vales would’ve been buried in debt long ago.

If her husband died and the Vance family cut the Vales off, her life of luxury would evaporate overnight.

Thankfully, her husband hade back.

Having nearly lost everything, Salome now clung to it even more tightly.

212

15.05

b“/bbI /bbdon’t /bbfeel /bblike /bbwasting /bwords with you,” Salome bsneered/b. “With bBeckett /bgone, bthere’s /bno breason /bfor you to stay here with the Vancesb. /bGo back to byour /bown family, bthe /bSumners. Otherwise, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

bEdith /bgave her a withering smile. “Your tricks are so pathetic, I can’t even be bothered to watch, let alone care. Don’t worry. I’ll be returning to the Sumners very

bsoon/b.”