Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Justin saw the determination in Edith’s eyes.
She really was a stubborn girl.
He decided not to press further and took a step back. “At least sit down and talk with us, will you?”
Everyone else was seated, and Edith standing there alone looked a bit awkward.
She nodded and pulled out a chair.
Justin, ever thoughtful, nudged it in for her.
Only after she sat did Edith realize that Benedict, Sarah, and Justin all had their eyes on her.
The feeling was hard to describe.
Back at the Vance house, whenever she spoke, it always seemed like everyone was too busy to listen.
Noticing her silence, Justin wondered if she was nervous and was about to comfort her when Edith finally spoke up. “I’m sorry, Mr. Hawksley, Mrs. Hawksley. I should have told you about this sooner.”
Justin’s heart jumped to his throat.
He thought the reason Edith had come today was to call off the engagement.
Was she still unable to let go of Beckett?
If it were anyone else, maybe Justin would have been confident.
But Edith was Edith.
If she were the kind of person who’d marry him just for the Hawksley family’s influence, she’d never have fallen for Beckett in the first place.
That thought made Justin frown without realizing it.
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Chapter 41
Edith noticed the look on his face.
She assumed that after Heather’s outburst, he must have learned the
truth about her.
He’s probably blaming me now, she thought. Blaming me for not saying anything sooner, for accepting those gifts from him at the mall, for letting the Hawksleys run around these past few days for nothing,
Edith lowered her head, forcing a polite smile. “It’s true, I can’t have children. It’s all my fault-I shouldn’t have waited until now to tell you.”
When she first heard the Hawksleys wanted to marry her, all she could think about was leaving the Vance family as soon as possible, about cutting ties with her past. She’d never even considered what the Hawksleys might want.
Justin was startled, silent for a moment before saying, “That’s all you wanted to tell us?”
The cloud on his face lifted, replaced by a barely noticeable smile of relief.
Edith didn’t dare look up, unable to see the Hawksleys’ expressions.
She braced herself for their anger, certain it was coming.
But it never did.
Instead, everyone just went about their business. Sarah was already waving to the housekeeper. “Latonia, would you set another place for Edith, please?”
Benedict beckoned to her as well. “Edith, do you see anything you like on the table? If there’s something you’re craving, the kitchen can make it for you.”
Justin smiled at Edith, who was still sitting with her head bowed. He gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder. “No need to get so worked up over something like this.”
Only then did Edith look up, belatedly.
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The way the Hawksleys responded was nothing like what she’d expected. Shouldn’t they have been angry that she’d waited so long to tell them? The wedding was practically around the corner-wasn’t it natural for them to be frustrated after all the preparations?
But the Hawksleys didn’t seem to mind at all.
To them, her confession felt as trivial as if she’d said she’d skipped breakfast that morning.
The housekeeper set out a place setting in front of her, and Justin handed her a fork. “Hungry? If you’re not, just have a little. If you are, eat as much as you like.”
Edith took the fork, unsure how to respond.
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Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.