No sooner had Edith finished speaking than Salome burst into loud, dramatic sobs, Beckett, visibly agitated, rushed to pull Salome into his arms. He shot Edith a sharp glare. “Edith! Can’t you show a little maturity? If you’ve done something wrong, just apologize properly!”
Edith’s brow furrowed. So, it really was possible to laugh in sheer disbelief.
She pointed at herself. “I’m the one who’s being immature? I’m the one who’s in the wrong? Fine. Fine. Fine!”
Each word was bitten out between cleriched teeth. “It’s all my fault, alright? Now, can you all get out of my bedroom?”
Her mother–in–law’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 escalate, 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 accusation and disgust, like shards of glass 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…”
1/3
15:05
Edith glanced back, meeting Beckett’s now–unfamiliar eyes. She would never have imagined he’d use her father’s situation as blackmail, just to force an apology to Salome.
What a heartless, faithless Vance family.
Her father’s issue had already been settled–with a massive favor owed to Dr. White, no 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 sorry, it’s all my fault.”
Seeing Edith finally yield, a flash 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–in–law, putting on a fragile, needy act. “Mom, Beckett, could you both give us a moment? I need to talk to Edith alone.”
Her mother–in–law 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 to compete 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 had come back.
Having nearly lost everything, Salome now clung to it even more tightly.
212
15.05
“I don’t feel like wasting words with you,” Salome sneered. “With Beckett gone, there’s no reason for you to stay here with the Vances. Go back to your own family, the Sumners. Otherwise, I’ll make sure you regret it.”
Edith gave 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
soon.”
3/3
