Edith linked arms with Jayne as they made their way to the elevator.
The manager of the shop had spoken loudly enough that every word drifted straight to Edith’s ears.
She stood there, waiting for the elevator doors to open, her mind lingering on what she’d overheard.
Mrs. Hawksley?
The title stirred something inside her–an emotion she couldn’t quite name.
Jayne glanced at Edith, puzzled. “What’s on your mind, Edith?”
Edith snapped back to the present just as the elevator doors slid open. She mustered a smile. “Oh, nothing. I was just daydreaming.”
They stepped inside together.
Jayne really did like her future son–in–law; but the look on her daughter’s face was far from enthusiastic.
Faced with a choice between the Sumner family’s expectations and her daughter’s happiness, Jayne made her position clear. “Edith, if you really don’t want to marry Justin, I’ll talk to the Sumners myself and call off the engagement.”
After all, Edith had barely spent any time with Justin before–how could anyone expect her to fall in love so easily?
But that wasn’t Jayne’s only concern.
She knew all too well how deep Edith’s feelings for Beckett ran.
Otherwise, Edith wouldn’t have endured so much mistreatment from the Vance family without a word of complaint.
Jayne longed for her daughter to finally move on from widowhood, but she also knew you couldn’t rush healing. Forcing things would only bring trouble later.
Edith’s mind seemed far away, lost in thought until they’d already gotten into the car. Suddenly, she turned to Jayne with a question: “Mom, is Justin really the same as he was when we were kids? Why can’t I remember him at all?”
Jayne’s smile was warm and full of affection. “Oh, sweetheart, you’ve always been wonderful, but your memory’s never been your strong suit. Though, honestly, you were only six then–it’s perfectly normal not to remember.”
1/3
15:10
A mischievous glint appeared in Jayne’s eyes. “Are you sure you don’t remember having dinner with Justin when you were little?”
Edith’s dark eyes narrowed. She shook her head. “Not even a little. But you and Dad have mentioned it now and then, so I know it happened.”
Still, if she tried to recall it for herself, there was nothing–no images, no memories at ali.
Thinking back to that day twenty years ago, Jayne couldn’t help but smile.
“Dinner wasn’t anything special, but what happened afterward was unforgettable!”
Edith was baffled–what could have happened that was so amusing?
“Justin was seven when he first met you. The moment he saw you, he announced he was going to marry you. So serious for a little boy! I’ll never forget it.”
Jayne’s smile faded a touch, her eyes tinged with regret. “It’s a shame, really. Not long after, Justin’s family moved overseas. By the time he came back, you were already engaged to Beckett. And, honestly, the Sumners and the Hawksleys were worlds apart back then. That childhood promise of marriage just faded away.”
Realizing she’d mentioned Beckett again, Jayne quickly fell silent.
Edith squeezed her mother’s hand. “It’s alright, Mom. Beckett’s not someone we have to tiptoe around. I really have let go.”
If Beckett had died, she doubted she’d ever have recovered.
But he hadn’t died–he’d only pretended to.
He’d abandoned his wife of so many years, tossed aside all the years of love and loyalty, and thrown himself into something utterly reckless.
It had shown Edith just how dark the human heart could be.
Jayne looked sidelong at her daughter, who was gazing out the window, lost in the passing scenery. She couldn’t quite tell–had Edith truly moved on, or was she just putting on a brave face?
There was a tradition in Northcrest: a week before a daughter’s wedding, her family would host a big, open–house feast.
The Sumners were traditional through and through, so naturally, they put on the celebration.
Of course, the guest list included many friends and family the Sumners were happy
2/3
15:10
Chapter 29
to welcome–and a handful they would have preferred stayed away.
The Sumners hadn’t invited anyone from the Vance family.
Yet somehow, Salome had shown up all the same, uninvited.
