Ever since she found out she was pregnant, Heather’s attitude toward her had done a complete one–eighty. Salome was suddenly the darling of the entire Vance family. Now that Edith–the only real threat–had finally been driven out, Salome was on cloud nine.
Seeing her so radiant, Beckett finally breathed easy. If things stayed this way for another five or six months, he’d finally be free.
But Edith’s departure meant that, for the first time in years, Beckett had gone this long without seeing or hearing from her. Back when he traveled for work, they’d spend hours on the phone, their conversations stretching late into the night. Now, after so long without Edith’s voice, Beckett found himself missing her more than he cared to admit.
In Northcrest, July storms could roll in out of nowhere, drenching the city in sheets
of rain.
Late that night, as thunder rattled the windows, Salome curled up to Beckett and purred, “Beckett, it’s been so long since we’ve… you know…”
He rolled over and kissed her, letting her take the lead.
That night, Beckett was selfish, desperate even. They tangled together with a wild abandon that left Salome gasping, her cries echoing through the halls of the Vance
estate.
Afterwards, Salome collapsed into exhausted sleep. In the darkness, Beckett quietly got dressed and slipped out into the rain.
He couldn’t stand it anymore–the longing had become unbearable.
He drove straight to the Sumner house, only to be stopped at the front door by Jayne.
Thunder crashed overhead as Beckett stood outside, soaked to the skin, searching for an excuse. “I have something I need to give Edith. Please, just let me see her for
a moment.”
“Edith’s already gone to bed,” Jayne replied coolly. “And whatever you have, it isn’t your place to give it to her.”
At first, Jayne seemed puzzled, but she quickly steeled herself. Edith had made her decision–she was going to marry into the Hawksley family. Whatever ties she had
15:08
with the Vances needed to be severed, completely and cleanly.
Seeing Jayne’s unwavering stance, Beckett grew desperate. He made as much noise as he could, hoping Edith would hear him–hoping she’d come to the door.
If Edith only knew he was here, she’d surely come out to see him.
Jayne refused to budge. “If you keep this up, I’m calling the police.”
Beckett stared at Jayne, the word “mother–in–law” caught in his throat, unable to say it out loud.
He wanted so badly to tell her–he wasn’t just some brother–in–law. He was Beckett. He’d been the Sumner family’s favorite son–in–law, not just anyone.
But he was out of options. “These are some of Beckett’s personal effects I need to give to Edith. You can’t refuse on her behalf–she’ll want these things.”
Jayne paused for a moment before answering, “I rarely make decisions for my daughter, but tonight, I’ll refuse on her behalf.”
She addressed him pointedly as “brother–in–law“-marking the boundary between
Edith and the Vances.
“Our Edith is about to remarry. Anything connected to the Vance family, she needs to cut off for good.”
The pouring rain blurred Beckett’s expression. He thought maybe the thunder had drowned out Jayne’s words. Dazed, he stared at her. “What did you just say? Remarry?”
“Edith is remarrying.”
Those simple words snapped something inside him.
He lost control, grabbing Jayne’s arms, his voice panicked. “How can Edith remarry? She’s a Vance–she can’t do this! No one in our family will allow it!”
15:08
