Chapter 2
Edward didn't come home that night.
Late at night, Emily posted a faded old photo on her social account.
It was a picture of her and Edward from way back when. Their heads leaned close together, both grinning with happiness.
[The only one I'll ever care about in this life.]
Just a short line. She didn't mention my name, but every word was about me.
The comments section quickly filled up with people in the know.
["Since the main chick's back, how's that secretary who held up as a stand-in?"]
["I bet that in less than three months, there will be a new Mrs. Grant in the house."]
After the online buzz had been simmering for a while, the Executive Office called me.
The assistant sounded strictly professional. "Mrs. Grant, the PR Department hopes that you can post a recent photo of you and Edward on your social media to settle the speculation."
"Sure," I replied without hesitation.
After hanging up, I realized that we didn't even have a couple photo where we looked close or intimate.
In the end, I could only dig up a candid backstage shot from last year's company annual gala.
The background was full of chatter and noise. I was fixing his cufflinks, while my face pressed against his chest without me even realizing it.
That steady, powerful heartbeat kept showing up in my dreams, pounding like a drum.
I posted it with the caption [Family together, all is well and happy.]
But less than an hour after I posted, Edward quietly hit like on Emily's "the only one" post.
That like was like a silent slap, landing right in my face.
My account was instantly swamped by Emily's fans and a bunch of gossip-mongers.
My inbox and comment section turned into a war zone.
[Still hanging on, huh, stand-in?]
[The homewrecker's finally been put in her place.]
[Still clinging to that Mrs. Grant spot? Get a grip, okay?]
They were all sure that my days as Mrs. Grant were numbered.
But, I never married him for the title of Mrs. Grant.
Emily cornered me at Grant Manor while I was picking out some tea in Grandma Grant's tea room.
She didn't knock, but tossed her handbag onto the tea table and flashed a smile. "Rae, tea time?"
"Edward wanted me to check on you. He was worried that you might be upset about what people are saying online."
"Honestly, those folks online just love to stir up drama. Calling you a 'stand-in'? That's pretty harsh," she added.
"Please don't take it the wrong way. Edward just liked that post out of habit. He's always spoiled me since we were kids. It's just what he always does," she explained.
"And I really do want to thank you for taking such good care of him these past three years," she said, smiling.
Her voice was sugary sweet, but it honestly made my skin crawl.
I set my cup down and smiled at her.
"Emily, since I'm your sister-in-law, you should know that it's only natural for me to look after my husband," I said.
"But you, a single girl, always brag about how Edward spoils you the most," I added.
"Sure, it's all 'brotherly love' when you know the backstory. But to those strangers?"
"They might think that the Grants' girls are hopelessly dependent on their brothers," I finished.
Emily's smile vanished in an instant.
Her eyes flicked to my wrist, then she leaned in, whispering right by my ear.
"That bracelet is the Grants' heirloom. It's for the next lady of the house."
"Aren't you nervous about wearing something that was never yours?" she sneered.
As she said it, she actually reached out, trying to touch it.
Without thinking, I batted her hand aside.
But the moment I just touched her, she acted like I'd shoved her hard. She let out a dramatic gasp and stumbled back, crashing into the display cabinet with a loud bang.
Just then, the room door was flung open.
Edward strode in, stepping protectively in front of Emily. His voice was low and dangerous. "You dare lay a hand on her?"
I stood there, frozen.
His gaze swept back and forth between me and Emily. His brows knitted tight. In a low voice, he asked Emily, "Did she push you?"
Emily's tears welled up instantly.
She shook her head at first, then nodded, sniffling.
"Edward, please don't blame Rae," she choked out.
"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have said those things, and brought up the bracelet..."
"It was an accident. Rae was just upset that's why... I'm fine," she said, still sniffling.
As she said, Edward just pulled her closer, his grip on her shoulder tightening.
He leaned down, brushing away her tears. His voice sounded softer than I'd ever heard from him. "You did nothing wrong. You don't have to apologize."
A chilly wind swept through the barren corners of my heart.
Turned out he could actually be gentle with someone.
But that someone would never be me.
The one who ever truly cared about me had already gone.