Justin flashed an ‘OK‘ sign with his fingers.
Thorpe sighed. This guy really was planning to keep flirting with disaster and testing his allergies–all for love. What a hopeless romantic.
He stood up and walked to the door, then glanced back at Justin. “We’ll keep you under observation for another hour, then you can go home.”
Thorpe paused in the doorway. “Congratulations on your marriage, Justin. You really pulled off a dream come true.”
As much as Thorpe disapproved of Justin putting his own health on the line, they’d been friends since childhood. When the moment called for it, he’d offer his blessing.
People were strange like that.
Just moments ago, when Thorpe wasn’t yet married to Edith, he could assure anyone–even Gabriel–that he and Edith would definitely end up together.
But when Gabriel congratulated him on his own marriage, a wave of anxiety swept over Thorpe.
What if he and Edith didn’t get married after all?
Edith hurried to the Vance family estate.
The atmosphere when she arrived was… complicated.
Beckett greeted her with a smug little smile.
Heather made no effort to hide how unwelcome Edith was.
And Salome, who’d just returned from the hospital, put on a fake show of sweetness–her eyes bright, her tone overly warm. “Edith! What could possibly be so important that you had to come in person? You could’ve sent a message and one of the staff would have brought it over.
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13:25
Chapter 791
Honestly, it’s such a hassle for you to make the trip.”
Salome’s words dripped with thinly veiled sarcasm.
Edith scoffed inwardly. If Beckett hadn’t been so difficult about handing things over, there was absolutely no way she’d have set foot in the Vance house.
Every inch of this place made her skin crawl—an unease that went deeper than the décor, right down to her bones.
She couldn’t wait to grab what she needed and get out.
But Beckett had other plans.
With a little wave, he said, “Edith, let’s talk in the study.”
The moment he spoke, Salome grew visibly tense and tried to trail after him, clearly not wanting to be left out.
Beckett noticed. He stopped and turned to her. “Salome, Mom had something special made for you. You should eat it while it’s still warm.”
Salome understood the message. She shot Edith a look full of resentment, but didn’t dare direct her anger at Beckett. Instead, she took it out on Edith–her voice sly and cutting. “There have been some unpleasant rumors about Northcrest lately. Some girls are just waiting for their chance to marry, you know. It would be a shame to ruin the Vance family’s reputation–or your own prospects. After all, not everyone is so undiscriminating about who they marry.”
Edith had always been sensitive to this sort of thing.
Salome’s meaning was crystal clear.
Edith fixed Salome with a steady gaze, matching her tone. “Whatever gossip is floating around about Northcrest doesn’t really concern me. People will always talk, but I live my own life. What actually worries me is your baby. Dr. White said you need strict bed rest, but you seem awfully attached to the Vance house–always finding excuses to be here instead of in the hospital. Maybe you should focus on keeping your baby safe first. That way, the Vance family will have a reason to look after you.”
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13.25!
Chapter 79
Salome’s words hadn’t touched Edith in the slightest.
But Edith’s reply landed like a punch to the gut–each word hitting Salome right where it hurt.
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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.