Beckett rushed from the hospital straight to the Sumner estate.

In Jayne’s memory, Bet had always struck her as a gentleman. Buttely, his repeated, unannounced visits had begun to feel intrusive, even suspicious. What exactly was he after?

A sh of lightning tore through the night, briefly illuminating Beckett’s face-and for a split second, Jayne could hardly tell if she was looking at Bet or Beckett. She hadn’t interacted with Beckett often, but she’d

learned to recognize his usual expressions, and the one in front of her now was all too familiar.

Jayne’s mind spun. Who was this man standing on her doorstep-Bet or Beckett?

Just hours ago, Heather had caused a scene at the Sumner house, and Edith’s words still echoed in Jayne’s mind. Edith had insisted that it wasn’t Beckett who’d died, but Bet. The im sounded outrageous, almost impossible to believe, and surely no one else would-except Jayne. She knew her own daughter better than anyone. Edith had never been one to make wild usations.

If Edith was telling the truth, that meant the man before her had to be

Beckett.

But what kind of person could do something so monstrous?

Beckett’s gaze flicked past Jayne, searching the barely open door behind her. He was looking for Edith.

Jayne quickly closed the door a little more and asked, her voice wary, “What do you want?”

Beckett didn’t bother to hide his intentions. “I’m here to see Edith.”

“She’s not home.”

His face tightened with anxiety. “Not home? Where would she be-especially with a storm like this? She’s always been terrified of

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thunder, hasn’t she? Where could she possibly go?”

In that instant, Jayne’sst doubts vanished. If this were Bet, how would he know about Edith’s fear of storms? And even if he did-why

would he care?

She stared coldly at Beckett, suddenly understanding why her daughter had left the Vance family so abruptly, so utterly devastated. Edith must have found out the truth about this absurd, horrifying situation.

How much had her sweet girl suffered in that house? And how blind had Jayne been, to think so highly of her son-inw-who had clearly done something utterly unforgivable?

Jayne’s gaze hardened, her usual gentleness reced by loathing. She wanted nothing more than to p Beckett across the face. But her self-restraint held her back. Instead, she said icily, “Edith is a widow now. She has nothing to do with your family anymore. Don’te here looking for her again.”

Beckett’sposure shattered. He shoved past Jayne and stormed inside, heading straight for Edith’s bedroom-moving with disturbing familiarity. Jayne’s heart twisted with guilt; she should have seen this

She should have known.

The Vance family-how could they do something so vile?

When Beckett found Edith’s room empty, he spun around, confusion and anger etched into his features. “Where is she? Where did you hide her?”

Jayne finally lost control. “Get out! Get out of this house, now!”

Her hands shaking, she fumbled for her phone to call the police, but Beckett lunged forward, easily overpowering her and snatching the phone away.

If Edith wouldn’t answer his calls, surely she’d pick up for her mother.

“What are you doing?” Jayne demanded, stunned. “Do you have any respect for thew at all?”

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