Beckett’s eyes darkened. “If she really did something that vile, there’s no way I’d just let her off the hook.”
Meanwhile, Salome was back at the Vance house, putting on a dramatic display of misery in front of Heather, threatening to faint with every breath.
Heather, thoroughly rattled, learned the truth from Salome’s sobs. Her opinion of Edith, already shaky, soured even more.
That night, Heather cornered Beckett alone, her tone fierce. “Beckett, as long as I’m alive, I won’t allow Edith to set foot in this house again!”
Beckett tried to soothe her. “Mom, I know Edith handled things badly, but she’s still my wife. You can’t just ban her from the family forever, can you?”
Funny, Beckett suddenly remembered he and Edith were married now. Yet when he’d faked his death and climbed into Salome’s bed, he hadn’t given that fact a second thought.
Heather saw right through him, but said nothing. She only warned, “If you really manage to drag Edith back into this family, don’t blame me when
the house turns to chaos.”
Salome might look delicate, but after all these years, Heather–sharp as she was–knew her well enough. Salome was a woman who could stir up real trouble.
Heather had no illusions. Salome wouldn’t just roll over and accept things.
Beckett didn’t hesitate. “Mom, don’t worry. I’ve got it under control. I know you’re not exactly Edith’s biggest fan, but I promise I’ll take care of it. Trust me, okay?”
Heather’s lips tightened. Beckett was her only son now; if she couldn’t trust him, whom could she trust?
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Heather seemed done with the conversation. There was just one thing on her mind. “Handle this however you want, but remember one thing: Salome’s baby–she’s carrying the next Vance heir. No one is to so much as upset her, you understand?”
Edith had spent years tiptoeing around her mother–in–law, not because she was weak, but because Beckett had always whispered in her ear.
His mother had lost her husband right after getting married and having kids. If Heather hadn’t grown a tough spine, she’d have been eaten alive in their world and never managed to raise two sons on her own.
Edith pitied Heather, a widow with two boys to bring up. And out of her old feelings for Beckett, she’d swallowed countless slights.
She’d endured so much that now, remarried into the Hawksley family, Edith found herself oddly unsettled by her newfound peace.
After the wedding, Benedict and Sarah set off to travel the world, and Justin seemed perpetually busy.
Edith could hardly believe how comfortable her days had become.
Jayne called often, asking how married life was treating her, and Edith was at a loss for words.
Jayne used to ask before, too, but in those days, Edith always put on a brave face, sharing only the good news.
Now she answered frankly, almost guiltily, unused to such honesty.
Jayne was skeptical, of course, and reminded Edith with the wisdom of experience, “Life might seem calm now, but it’s just the stillness before the storm. You need to stay alert if you want things to last.”
Edith took Jayne’s advice to heart, never daring to grow complacent.
This time, Jayne called not just to check up on the Hawksleys, but also to ask Edith to pick up her cousin.
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Edith’s relationship with her relatives on the Kearney side was strained, but she got along well with Jayne’s family.
Especially Lauren Shaw, her cousin and childhood confidante. The Shaws
had moved to Seastone City years ago for business, and after college, Lauren went abroad for her master’s and PhD.
Chapter 133
Chapter 133
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.