Salome just assumed Edith was scared–and that was exactly what she wanted.

Still, Salome wasn’t na?ve enough to let her guard down. Instead of going to the hospital, she decided to stay put at the Vance estate, taking every precaution for her pregnancy.

Everyone in the Vance household treated Salome like royaltyb, /bcatering to her every whim. In stark contrast, Edith became invisible—someone no one wanted to bother

with.

Not that Edith cared. She was nning to leave the Vance family anyway. She just had to wait for the Sumners toe and take her away.

When she’d first arrived, Kearney Jayne had brought her to the Vances with a beaming smile. Now, when it was time to leave, she’d do so with her head held high.

But as soon as word reached Beckett, he grew anxious, constantly trying to find an excuse to talk to her.

After what happenedst time, Edith treated Beckett like he was contagious. Wherever he appeared, she made sure to avoid.

With her departure imminent, Edith was determined not to stir up any more drama. But Beckett was persistent, and eventually, she ran out of ces to hide.

In the small garden behind the house, Beckett caught up with her, grabbing her wrist from behind. “Salome told me you’re going back to the Sumners. Is that true?”

Salome? The way he said her name–so familiar, so intimate. Was it just habit from their time in bed together, that now he couldn’t help but say it that way in front of

everyone?

Edith jerked her wrist free, her disgust in. “Whether I go back to the Sumners or not is none of your business. You’re just myte husband’s brother!”

She made sure to stress his title, reminding him–and herself–that he was Salome’s husband now.

The words stung Beckett. He refused to let go of her hand, and the two of them struggled in the garden, unaware that Salome was watching everything from her balcony on the second floor.

Salome clenched her fists, eyes burning with resentment and fury. She hissed under

15:05

her bbreath/b, b“/bbEdith, /bbyou really /bbare /bba /bshameless bitch who won’t blearn /bbuntil /byou hit brock /bbottom.”

bIn /bbthe /bgarden, Beckett was frantic. If Edith went back to the Sumners, he’d lose all bcontrol /bover her fate. He couldn’t let that happen–it was itoo /irisky.

b“/bbHow /bcan it not be my business?” he insisted. “Bet’s only been gone two months and you’re already moving out. He’d be heartbroken if he knew!”

Edith’s smile was cold. “Oh? Are you sure Bet is really down there?”

A sh of guilt crossed Beckett’s face. After a moment’s hesitation, he stammered, “He’s buried at Dawn Cemetery. Of course he’s… underground.”

Edith yanked her hand away. “Haven’t you ever heard the saying, ‘The dead are gone–the living must go on‘?”

Beckett watched her walk away, heart twisting with pain,

He couldn’t suppress his longing for Edith any longer. Her scent brought back memories of the days they’d spent together. If only Bet hadn’t died in that ident, he and Edith would have been the golden couple everyone in Northcrest envied.

Staring after her until she disappeared, Beckett murmured, “Edith, just wait. Once the baby’s born safely, I’lle back to you.”

The first thing Edith did when she returned to her room was shower. She scrubbed her arms until her skin turned red, needing to erase every trace of Beckett’s touch.

Even after she finished, she still felt sick. Just then, a sharp knock sounded at the

door.

She slipped on her pajamas and opened it. Beckett and Salome stood side by side in the hallway.

Salome shot her a sidelong nce, then looked at Beckett. Finally, Beckett spoke. “Edith, pack your things. I’ll drive you to the Sumners‘.”

Edith blinked in surprise. The change in his attitude was abrupt, as if the person who’d cornered her in the garden wasn’t him at all.

Salome looked at her with all the smugness of a victor.

Edith turned and began packing. It didn’t matter. She’d nned on being picked up by the Sumners, but leaving the Vance family sooner rather thanter was no loss.

15:06

Salome’s voice dripped with feigned sweetness. “Sorry, Edith. I know you’ve been ufortable here, but with the baby on the way, it’s best for everyone if things are a little quieter–for the sake of your child, of course.”

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