Jayne was beside herself with joy, barely daring to believe what she’d heard. She leaned in, needing to be sure. “Are you serious, Edith?”
Edith’s gaze flickered over the shattered photo frame on the floor, her expression resolute. “Beckett is gone. That’s why I have to live well.”
Yes, in her heart, Beckett was already dead.
Jayne’s face broke into a wide smile.
Up until today, Edith had always seemed to believe that with Beckett gone, there was no point in living at all.
Jayne was so moved, her voice trembled. “That’s right. The living have to keep living.”
Late that night, the sounds of laughter and rhythmic thumping from downstairs grew louder and more brazen.
It was like a dull knife scraping over Edith’s heart, each pass cutting deeper than the last.
She didn’t fall asleep until the small hours. At dawn, the piercing wail of an ambulance echoed across the Vance estate.
Edith opened her bedroom door just in time to see Beckett, panic in his eyes, carrying Salome down the stairs.
He didn’t spare Edith so much as a glance.
In all the years she’d known him, she’d never seen Beckett so rattled. He was always the picture of composure–measured, controlled.
Down below, the house staff were chattering amongst themselves.
“Lady Salome woke up feeling sick this morning. Mr. Vance was so worked up he called an ambulance straight away. Said she needed to get checked out.”
Another maid stifled a giggle. “The racket last night–I heard it all the way from the servant’s quarters. Honestly, after more than a month, it would be odd if she weren’t pregnant by now.”
Standing by the grand staircase, Edith’s fingers dug deep grooves into the polished wood.
The hospital called not long after.
1/3
15:04
They asked specifically for Edith to come in
She didn’t want to go–she felt sick just thinking about it—but her mother–in–law turned on the pressure, switching between pleading and guilt–tripping ‘Edith, even though Beckett is gone, you’re still part of the Vance family. Our family line is fragile enough as it is. This baby is precious–do you understand how rare this is?” Her mother–in–law heaved a sigh. “Dr. White is the best OB–GYN in the city, but he won’t take the case, no matter how much money we offer. Your own family is full of doctors, surely you have some connections?”
When Edith still didn’t budge, her mother–in–law pressed on. “Edith, we’ve always treated you–and your family–well. Don’t forget, back when your family was struggling-”
Edith raised her hand, cutting her off. “Fine. I’ll go.”
It was true–the Vance family had helped the Sumners financially, but the Sumners had always repaid their debts. They weren’t the sort to accept charity for nothing.
But if her mother–in–law wanted to bring it up, so be it. Edith wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of refusing.
When Edith arrived at the hospital, Beckett was frantically making calls, trying to pull strings.
But this was Northcrest’s top private hospital, and Dr. White was the most sought–after specialist in the field. Money alone wasn’t enough to sway him.
As soon as Beckett saw her, he rushed over, gripping her hand so tightly it hurt.
“Edith! Thank God you’re here! Your sister–in–law’s pregnancy is unstable–the doctors say it’s going to be a tough case. Your family knows Dr. White, don’t they? Can’t you help?”
Edith glanced down at her reddened wrist and gave a bitter, crooked smile.
Beckett knew she hated pain. She was hypersensitive to it–even a gentle tap would
make her wince.
He’d always been gentle with her, even when he held her hand.
But now, in his panic over Salome’s baby, he didn’t even notice he was hurting her.
Edith lifted her chin, her eyes cool and sharp. “You never called me by my name before. It was always sis‘ or ‘sister–in–law.”
2/3
15:04
It was absurd, really. Beckett’s act of impersonating Bennett had always been full of holes, but she’d been so blinded by love that she refused to believe her beloved
could ever do something so outrageous. Right up until last night, she hadn’t doubted him for a second.
Beckett’s face twisted awkwardly, but after a moment’s hesitation, he seemed to decide that Edith hadn’t caught on. His expression smoothed over.
“Salome’s in the hospital bed and I’m a mess–I just got flustered and called you by the wrong name.”
Edith let out a cold, humorless laugh. “Oh, flustered, are you? Funny. Maybe next time you’re that anxious, you could try being a bit more gentle. Wasn’t Salome just asking you to take it easy last night?”
