bChapter /b61

“Mom’s absolutely fine–slept like a babyst night. Justin even sent someone over to check on us, and posted a few people outside the house just to be safe. I feel so much better now.”

Edith paused, surprised. Did Justin really call to check inst night?

Warmth bloomed quietly in her chest.

There were two people in Edith’s life who mattered most: Kearney and Jayne.

Justin was already helping with Kearney’s troubles.

And when it came to Jayne’s wellbeing, he never took his eyes off the

ball.

Suddenly, all her worries felt worthwhile.

Even if Justin really did have some deep, unspoken w, Edith found she didn’t mind anymore.

Jayne couldn’t help but praise him, “Justin’s always been so attentive and thoughtful.”

Once his name came up, Jayne’s concern shifted to how Edith had fared at the Hawksley family homest night.

She studied Edith’s face, worry etched in her eyes. “Edith, honey, are you sure no one at the Hawksleys‘ gave you a hard time?”

The Hawksleys had always carried themselves with dignity, but Jayne couldn’tpletely rx. After all, her daughter was the type to swallow her troubles rather thanin.

What if Justin was all warmth and reassurance on the phone, but treated Edith differently in person?

The Vance family’s example was a bitter memory. Back when Edith married into their family, everyone had worn beaming smiles, and Jayne could still recall Heather promising to treat Edith as her own daughter on

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the wedding day.

Now, looking back, it all seemed like a cruel joke.

Aplete farce.

Thinking aboutst night made Edith a little anxious.

It wasn’t anything the Hawksleys had done–they’d all been perfectly weing.

It was just…

Edith had never been the rebellious type. She’d always been a quiet, rule–following girl.

Butst night, she definitely stepped out of herfort zone.

As Edith hesitated, nerves written all over her face, Jayne’s concern deepened. She held Edith’s cheeks, voice urgent. “Did someone at the Hawksleys‘ say something cruel, or treat you badly? If you were wronged, you know I’ll stand up for you! I don’t care how powerful they are–if they hurt you, I’d do anything to keep you from marrying into that family!”

Edith hurried to exin, “No, Mom, it wasn’t like that at all. The Hawksleys were nothing but kind. They didn’t judge me for anything.”

Jayne looked puzzled. “Then why do you look so flustered?”

After a moment’s careful scrutiny, Jayne finally caught the unmistakable

blush on Edith’s cheeks.

She’d been through enough herself to recognize that look in an instant.

Jayne offered a gentle smile. “Edith, as long as you both feelfortable with each other, there’s nothing wrong with getting a little closer before the wedding.”

Edith sat down, still uneasy, but nodded to keep her mother from

worrying. “I know, Mom.”

Jayne shook her head with a resigned sigh. Her daughter could be almost

too well–behaved–so proper it bordered on old–fashioned.

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That was what worried Jayne, really. With a temper like Edith’s, she was bound to get taken advantage of. Worse, in this day and age, men didn’t. always appreciate a woman who was so reserved.

Most men seemed drawn to women who were a bit more lively, a bit more colorful.

But old habits die hard. There was no changing who Edith was now.

Jayne could only hope that Justin was a good man. Even if he couldn’t love Edith, she prayed he’d at least treat her with respect and kindness.