Chapter 3
57%A
Oliver watched Edwina pinned in that bear hug, trying so hard not to laugh his face went purple. He was itching to light up the group chat:
The second I get back, I’m posting this in the group chat, he thought, barely holding it together. Edwina, who can knock out a mere with one punch, getting called “baby“?
This is funny as hell.
“Yes, Mrs. Simmons,” he said, forcing the words out as he snapped to attention. “Tll have the sketches in three days and the finished designs in ten”
He was practically running out the door, not trusting himself to day much longer.
He’d barely cleared the gates when his phone buzzed.
Edwina: [Today stays between us. You breathe a word, I’ll end you]
Oliver barked a laugh and thumbed back. [Boss, you sketching your own looks now? A hundred sets, man.]
Edwina had zero intention of designing a hundred outfits. She ld Oliver to pull straight from inventory. If they were for her, she called the shots.
She couldn’t take another moment of Gloria’s overbearing affection, so she fled upstairs under the guise of packing.
As she surveyed all the garish Barbie–pink decor, plotting how to rip it out, Cloria came in with a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup.
“Sweetheart,” Gloria began, her voice trembling
“I go by Edwina,” she said evenly, her tone softening just a bit.
This woman cries every time I turn around, Edwina thought, felling a reluctant tenderness. And when she cries, I sotten
100
“Alright. Edwina, Gloria said with a long breath. There’s something I need to tell you. When I gave birth, there was a scene at the hospital. A total mess. The records got switched. L… reported the wrong baby.”
“Is she the one in the family photo?” Edwina cut in, seeing Glor hesitate.
Gloria’s face tightened as she nodded slowly. “Her name is Hele Alter we found out about you, your dad and I looked mo her family
“The hospital chaos lasted for days. Her mother was terrified, hemorrhaged, and died. She was unmarried, and no one knew who the father was. We didn’t want Helene to find out. We were raid she couldn’t handle it.”
“Many A bright, sugary voice floated up from downstairs. “Mmmy. Fin home.”
Footsteps pounded up the stairs, and Gloria didn’t get up, just wiches Lalwina closely It Edwina couldn’t accept it, she’d send Helene overseas.
Towe her nineteen years of love. No one’s taking that away: Gl
“I understand,” Edwina said, her lips curling into a mild smile. I
thought.
eyes softened. She could tell Gloria had a kind heart.
Helene burst into the room, her eyes wide. “Mommy, why did you redo the room like this? You knew I was coming home early, didn’t you? Trying to surprise me?“
1/4
1225 Thu Jan 1
Chapter 3
She was in a pink princess dress, her face glowing with exciteme
457%
Gloria’s expression softened at the sight of Helene She gestured or her to come closer. Helene, come here. This is your
sister, Edwina. Say hello”
Only then did Helene really notice Edwina standing there, dressil in simple clothes. A flash of disdain flickered in her eyes, but she quickly turned it into a saccharine smile and clung to Claria’s arm.
“Mom, stop joking around. I’m the Simmons family’s only heires Where’s this sister coming from Helene pouted.
Gloria’s expression turned serious. She slowly pulled her arm away from Helene.
She didn’t want Edwina to feel uncomfortable, not even for a second.
“I had twins, Gloria said. “Your sister has been out there, suffering all these years. From now on, you’ll treat her like family.
Gloria’s tone was soft, but Helene knew better than to argue. The Simmons family was built on Gloria’s rules
The protest rose in her chest, but she swallowed it, plastered on a smile, and extended her hand.
“Hi. I’m Helene, she chirped, her voice sugary sweet.
Edwina saw right through the act. She nodded but didn’t take the hand.
“Hey. Edwina,” she replied.
Helene’s face flushed with anger, and she opened her mouth to snap back when Gloria, ever the doting mother, slid her arm. through Edwina’s. “Your dad’s slow–roasting a prime rib for you Come on, let’s go see.”
Helene watched them leave together, her teeth grinding.
Mom’s remade my old room for her. Dad’s cooking for her like he used to for me. What the hell? she fumed. Why does this nobody get treated the same way I did?‘
Her eyes practically burned with venom.
Later at night, in a VIP suite at Eden Hospital, Imelda stirred.
The attending doctor rushed over. “Mr. Gibson, Mrs. Gibson’s suble. A few more days of observation, and she’ll be discharged
Kelvin nodded and waved the doctor out “Grandma, anything he hurting?” he asked softly.
Just seeing your face makes me feel worse,” Imelda shot back.
He sighed. “I’ll get a private nurse to sit with you.”
He started to leave, but Imelda snapped, “Stop right there. I’ve been to hell three times. You owe me an answer. Are you marrying that Simmons girl or not?”
“No.” Kelvin said flatly. “This time, your illness isn’t going to work on me. You’re practically healed. You probably won’t even. need your heart meds anymore!
“When did Eden Hospital get a doctor that good?” Imelda sound surprised.
“It wasn’t the hospital. It was a hell of a young
The memory flashed in his mind–a sharp gaze, a proud chin, a face that could stop time.
2/4
12:25 Thu, Jan 1 AQU
Chapter a
57%
Imelda paused. Before her surgery she had a brief moment of areness. She vaguely remembered an angeli girl a calm voice, soothing her fears
“If you don’t like the Summons girl, marry the one who saved my life. Prople say you owe your life to the one who unirs you. So go ahead and marry her for me, Imelda sad
Kelvin’s brow twinched. Grandma, is there anything in your mir besides getting me married”
“There is Great–granddbabies”
Kelvin went quiet. I should have kept my mouth shut, he thought
Give me that huttle angel’s number, Imelda insisted.
Kelvin pressed his lips together and stayed silent.
Imelda instantly grabbed her chest, putting on a dramatic show, Oh no, my incision…. Im dizzy__ I think I’m dying…”
Honestly, old folks were just big kids sometimes. Kelvin just couldn’t with his grandma.
“Okay, okay, drop the act. I’ll give you her number, but you gotta promise not to go causing chaos, alright?” Kelvin said. totally exasperated.
“I just want to say thank you. Where does your mind even go? Get it out of the gutter. Imelda scolded with a straight face. though the mischief in her eyes was impossible to miss.
Over at the Simmons estate, Darius’s whole roast lamb came out of the oven, and the cook’s other dishes crowded the table
Gloria kept piling food onto Edwina’s plate, like she could shove nineteen years of missed affection into one meal
Edwina felt helpless and a little resistant. She didn’t even like meat much, but she still ate more than she wanted.
Helene barely touched her food. She just watched, and the longer she watched, the more she decided Edwina didn’t have the polish
Helene leaned into perfect table manners, graceful as a princess broadcasting superiority with every move.
“Helene Darius said suddenly, “have you settled your grad school plans? Ive lined up some universities overseas. Pick one and start getting ready”
Studying abroad had always been Helene’s plan. But bearing it now felt like he was pushing her ouL
Her resentment toward Edwina deepened. She thought if she really left for three years, by the time she came back there might not be a place for her in this family.
She thought a beat, then flipped to sweet. “Dad, I’ve decided. Grl school can happen anytime.
I want to work in Grindel City first and keep you company Sing left for college, I haven’t been home much. I miss you
guys
She pouted and shot Edwina a look. Seeing that same cool, unbehered face only stoked her temper
“Edwina, I don’t even know where you went to school on what you studied. How about we job hunt together?” she asked.
Slar laid it on thick, all bright and bubbly, while a cold smile and aside. Heast to tor she looks cheap, like she stepped out of a thrifi pile.
3/4
12:25 Thu, Jan 1 AW.
Chapter 3
“Even if she did go to college, it hail in be some in–name school
ald never star
57%
e the d difference, plain as day. They dont get to shower her with extra love just because she spent
1 need Mom and Dad to see time out there on her own
In Helene’s mind, in a wealthy family, skill and presence were wat matter. That was hrew the kept the Simmons name from getting dragged through the mund
Edwina hfted her head to answer, but Gloria rut in “Edwina, you don’t need a job. Pick any place on the estate and have fun.
If you don’t like those, your dad and I have plenty of companies Take whichever one you want to run. As long as you are happy, our money can take care of you for ten lifetimes.”
The indulgence made Edwina’s skin prickle. “What, are they placing to keep me as a total freeloader.
No need. If I wanted. I could build another Simmons empire from the ground up.
Helene nearly ground her teeth to dust, but all she could do was hold a stiff smile and agree, while in her heart she wanted to cun Edwina to pieces.
“Why?! Helene fumed, her anger boiling over. Even at their mo doting, they never promised me a manor, never invited me into the companies.
That bitch. Why her?”
Dinner ended with everyone lost in their own thoughts, and Edwina was so full she could barely move.
She finally escaped Gloria’s tidal wave of mothering, collapsed onto the bed, and stared at the sea of tacky pink around her. Then the corners of her mouth lifted, just alittle.
So this is what it feels like to be loved by family, Edwina mused quietly. Exhausting, but not bad
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, again and again. She reached over
Oliver had sent a string of jewelry photos,
Oliver: [Edwina, take a look. These pass muster?]
Edwina replied: [Approved.]
Oliver: Copy that.]
Edwina: (Beat it.)
Oliver sent over a voice message of him cracking up, and it rubled off on her, easing the tightness in her shoulders,
what’l
He then added: Bows, the Athemore Auction opens tomorrow night. You coming to see the circus or wi
4/4
