Chapter 3
The birthday party had just kicked off when my mother–in–law Alyssa hit me with a cold glare, “Dr. Smith sent over your health report. Apparently, you can’t have kids anymore, thanks to your own recklessness. What are you going to do about it? We can’t have you ruin Edward’s future like this. You should find time to finalize the divorce.”>
Lately, everything felt like too much, and her words just made me shiver. Edward quickly shrugged off his coat and draped it over my shoulders. He sighed, “Mom, why do you bring this up today? Isabella’s still young, and we’ll figure it out. Plus, you’ve got Judy. She and Charlie are so in love, it’s only a matter of time before you get a grandchild from them.“–
Judy jumped in, linking arms with Alyssa and giggling, “Yeah, Mom, Charlie and I are working on it every day…” Her cheeks were flushed with a rosy blush.
I glanced at Edward, catching him draining his wine glass with a sad, distant look in his eyes. My mother–in–law was too busy soaking up Judy’s flattery to notice, and I got to enjoy a rare moment of peace during dinner.§
After the meal, she gestured to the table full of leftovers and snapped, “The Reyes family doesn’t keep freeloaders. You should know your place. Clean up this mess! Your sickly face is just irritating, such bad luck!“}
Edward was too drunk to defend me. I nodded and started clearing up. Judy, still smiling sweetly, escorted Alyssa out the door, pretending to be clueless as she left, “Mom, how bad must someone mess up to end up infertile? Tsk, tsk, poor Isabella…“}
Hot tears splattered on my hand as I stared at the discarded food, feeling a lot like it. By the time I finished cleaning, night had fallen. Edward knew I never stayed overnight at the estate, so I wiped my hands and headed upstairs to find him.”
As I reached the guest room, I heard Edward’s choked voice, “Judy, when Mom told me to get a divorce today, I almost agreed. But I can’t. I worry if I leave, Charlie might not stay true to you. But, Judy, it’s killing me…“}
The guest room door wasn’t fully closed. Through the gap, I saw Edward crying in Judy’s arms like a lost child. Judy comforted him, slipping off her coat and kissing him deeply.
“Edward, I know you’re hurting. I’m your sister–in–law now, and this is all I can offer. I’ll make it up to you in the next life, okay?“}
In a heartbeat, the cold guest room turned electric as Edward clung to Judy. “No, Judy, you owe me nothing. I love you, and I’ll do anything for you..“>
I couldn’t listen anymore. I bit my lip hard, fleeing in shame. The Reyes family had strict rules for women. If Edward didn’t leave with me, I couldn’t leave alone. But after what I’d seen, I couldn’t pretend everything was fine.
So, I sat on a garden bench until the sun came up. That night, the light in the room meant for Edward and me stayed off. Meanwhile, from the guest room, the sounds of their passion continued all night.”
