the sweltering heart of Northcrest’s summer, Edith sneezed out of
nowhere.
A chill crept up her spine.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that someone–someone with less–than–kind intentions–was watching her.
The Sumners had visitors today: relatives from Kearney’s side.
Edith rarely interacted with that branch of the family. After Kearney’s troubles, those relatives distanced themselves even further from the Sumners, eager to avoid any association.
But Jayne, ever gracious, insisted that guests were guests. She’d told Edith to pick up some good wine for the occasion.
While Jayne bustled in the kitchen, the living room overflowed with family, not a single soul offering to help.
Edith returned home, set down her bags, and made a beeline for the kitchen.
Behind her, the relatives lounged around, cracking sunflower seeds, shooting sideways glances at her. “She used to be so polite as a kid. Now she can’t even say hello when she sees us? If you ask me, Jayne never did know how to raise a child.”
Jayne was her mother’s name.
Edith paused in the kitchen doorway, stunned at their audacity.
When the wedding reception had been thrown, not one of them showed up–too afraid of gossip, too nervous that people might know they were connected to the Sumners, or that Kearney’s scandals might rub off on them.
But now, with the party long over and the crowds gone, here they were, sneaking in–not to offer congratulations, of course, but to gawk at the
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Sumners‘ misfortune, show off their own successes, and let Jayne wait on them hand and foot.
Edith glanced back, her gaze narrowing, locking onto the cluster of relatives.
When exactly had things soured between the Sumners and Kearney’s kin? Probably from the moment Edith was born–a girl, not the son they wanted. Her relatives had hounded Kearney to abandon her and try again for a boy.
Especially her uncle, Kearney’s elder brother–Gideon Sumner.
Now Gideon’s son, York, had just come back from studying abroad, landing a job at a hot–shot tech company. Gideon, already insufferable, had become downright unbearable.
He shot Edith a look of disdain. “What’s with that glare? Jayne really didn’t do right by you–just look at you, staring down your own relatives. That’s no way for a young lady to behave.”
York Sumner, decked out in designer labels and brimming with arrogance, barely spared Edith a glance. “Dad, don’t bother with her. The way I see it, she only managed to marry into the Vance family by sheer luck. But luck like that never lasts. Just look–she brought nothing but bad fortune to Beckett, and now all I can do is visit his grave with some flowers. What a waste. I thought I could use that connection, too.”
Edith’s eyes narrowed further. She gritted her teeth. “You all seem to have plenty of energy for talking, so you must not be hungry. In that case, maybe I’ll tell my mom to stop cooking.”
She turned, ready to stop Jayne from working herself to the bone.
Just then, Gideon’s wife, Candida, chimed in, “Oh Edith, don’t be so sensitive. Your uncle and cousin are just teasing.”
Edith arched a brow, “Aunt Candida, teasing only counts if everyone’s laughing. Otherwise, it’s just bullying.”
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Aunt Candida’s face turned awkward, her words fumbling. “You see, this is just how you are–always making such a fuss.”
Edith snorted, done with their nonsense. “If you want to eat, then keep your filthy mouths shut.”
In the kitchen, Jayne kept busy with the meal. Edith helped, not noticing the message waiting for her on her phone.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.