Chapter 4

A week had passed.

I stopped getting up at six to make breakfast.

I stopped sending him five messages a day.

I stopped greeting him at the door, taking his bag, getting him a drink, and bringing him a snack the moment he got home.

I stopped asking him, "Are you tired today?" or "What do you want to eat?"

The difference was night and day.

But Edward barely even reacted.

For the first three days, his floating text read: [At last, some peace and quiet.]

[She's not hovering around me anymore. Honestly, that's pretty nice.]

[Did she stumble on some nonsense online about "giving men space" again? Whatever. Not my problem.]

He even seemed somewhat relieved.

I glanced at the floating text and smirked.

Fine.

Then he could go on enjoying his so-called peace and quiet.

On Wednesday night, Edward's mother showed up again.

This time, instead of premium nutritional supplements, she brought someone.

Charlotte.

"Stella, Charlotte said she wanted to try your pot roast, so I brought her over," Linda said.

Linda was all smiles.

Floating text appeared above her head: [Charlotte and Edward are a perfect match. If it weren't for that favor we owed Mr. Summers, Charlotte would've taken Stella's spot ages ago.]

Charlotte slipped off her shoes and walked in with the ease of someone who belonged there.

Floating text appeared above Charlotte's head: [Today, I'm going to make sure Edward sees just how much better I am than Stella.]

Back then, whenever something like this happened, I'd be rushing around the kitchen in a panic, scrambling to whip up dinner.

All the while, I'd force a smile, terrified that one of my guests might feel neglected.

Not today, though.

"Sorry, Mom, we don't have much food in the house today. Why don't we eat out?" I said.

Linda blinked, caught off guard.

Floating text appeared above Linda's head: [What's this supposed to mean? Every time I come over, there's always a feast waiting for me. What's she playing at today?]

"Eat out?" Linda frowned. "There's a kitchen right here at home, eating out is such a waste of money."

I smiled.

"How about I order some takeout? What would you like, Mom?" I asked.

"Takeout?" Linda's expression darkened completely.

Floating text appeared above Linda's head: [Is Stella getting too big for her britches? Guests come over and she just orders takeout, seriously, is this how a real housewife acts?]

Charlotte spoke up right then, timing it perfectly.

"Don't be upset, Linda. How about I cook instead? I just learned how to make apple pie a few days ago, I thought you might like to try it," Charlotte said.

Saying that, she walked right into the kitchen.

Linda's frown melted away, and her face lit up with a smile.

"Charlotte, you're such a sweetheart," Linda said.

Floating text appeared above Linda's head: [Now, look at Charlotte, this is how a daughter-in-law should act. Stella could really learn a thing or two from her.]

I sat quietly on the couch, watching Charlotte rummage through my kitchen for seasonings.

Back then, I would've been eaten up with jealousy.

I would've felt so hurt.

I would've snuck off to my bedroom and cried my eyes out.

Not anymore. I was done with all that.

Because the floating text above her head told me everything I needed to know.

[Her apron's in the second kitchen drawer, but I'm purposely not using it. Instead, I'll drink from Edward's cup, right in front of her, just to make sure she notices.]

When she brought out the dishes, she deliberately used my favorite set of blue-and-white china.

Floating text appeared above Charlotte's head: [These plates are gorgeous, but once I move in, I'll get rid of them and bring in my own.]

Edward came home.

He stopped in his tracks when he saw Charlotte standing in the kitchen in loungewear.

Floating text appeared above Edward's head: [Why is Charlotte here?]

Right after that, another line of floating text appeared. [She actually looks pretty good in those clothes.]

Then he glanced over at me.

Floating text appeared above Edward's head: [Why is Stella just sitting there, not doing anything? That's really not like her.]

"You're back," I said.

Just two words.

No "honey," no smile, no getting up to greet him.

Edward's brow furrowed for a moment.

Floating text appeared above Edward's head: [What's up with her?]

But he didn't ask.

He never did.

The four of us gathered around the table for dinner.

Charlotte served up four dishes, and honestly, they were beautifully presented.

Linda took a bite of the apple pie and just kept raving about it.

"Charlotte, your cooking puts any restaurant to shame," Linda exclaimed.

Floating text appeared above Linda's head: [If Charlotte were my daughter-in-law, I'd be so happy I could laugh in my sleep.]

Charlotte gave a polite, graceful smile.

"You're too kind, Ms. Linda," she replied.

Floating text appeared above Charlotte's head: [Go on, shower me with praise, just make sure Edward hears every word.]

I kept my head down in silence and ate slowly, bite by bite.

Back then, I'd rush to say, "Mom, I'll try making it next time too."

Today, I kept quiet.

Linda noticed.

"Stella, why are you so quiet?" she asked.

"Just eating, Mom," I said.

Linda let out a small huff.

Floating text appeared above Linda's head: [What's with that look? If you're so capable, why don't you cook a whole meal yourself?]

After dinner, Charlotte washed the dishes.

I sat in the living room, drinking water.

Linda walked over and lowered her voice.

"Listen, Stella, you need to watch your attitude these days," she said.

"What attitude?" I replied.

Linda scolded, "What attitude? Just look at you, acting all cold, barely saying a word, and you don't even bother to cook.

"You married into the Foster family, not to live like some pampered lady of leisure."

Floating text appeared above Linda's head: [You'd better remember your place. If it weren't for what happened with your father, you wouldn't even be good enough to shine Edward's shoes.]

I looked at her.

Back then, whenever she said stuff like that, my eyes would sting with tears and I'd just mumble, "I know, Mom," with my head down.

But now I just nodded, nothing more. "I know, Mom."

I sounded just like I always did.

But deep down, I knew this "I know" wasn't the same as all those times before, it meant something else now.

Back then, I really thought I was in the wrong.

Now, I'm too tired to fight about it anymore.