Chapter 5

I woke up the next morning with this nagging feeling that something wasn't right.

It took me a good while to realize that my son Luke hadn't come home last night.

I went to ask Edward, who was working in his study. He said, "Luke goes to a boarding school. He only comes home on weekends."

I was shocked. "He's only nine. You're sending him to boarding school?"

"Yeah, it's a school for heirs. All the kids from the big families who are supposed to take over get sent there early," Edward replied, totally unfazed.

"That's how I grew up too. I really don't see anything wrong with Luke staying at school," he added.

Suddenly, it all made sense. No wonder he turned out so cold and distant.

I remembered back in high school, I was always the noisy one, messing around with my friends. Sometimes I'd bump into Edward by accident, and he'd give me this cool, distant look, never saying a word.

Back then, I had plenty of admirers, but I always went for the ones who were the hardest to get.

Edward was the ultimate challenge. I went all out chasing after him, from high school all the way through college, and in the end, I actually managed to win him over.

But honestly, it felt more like he went along with it.

After I married Edward, every day was filled with bliss.

Seeing him happy, being intimate with him, and then having Luke. My happiness kept growing.

But then reality hit me hard.

I took a deep breath, looked at Edward, and decided not to argue with him.

As I turned to leave, Edward called out, "I sent you some money. Go buy yourself some clothes. We're having dinner at home tonight."

Knowing there was money waiting for me, I felt a bit warmer inside.

'It's okay. Money makes me happy.'

Since I was meeting my in-laws, I wasn't about to cut corners. I dropped some serious cash on a fancy outfit, had a professional do my makeup, and then grabbed a cab to the Shaw Estate.

By the time I got there, Emily and Luke had already arrived, and Edward's parents were chatting with him.

As soon as I walked in, everyone froze for a second.

Edward's mother glanced at me, and she wasn't nearly as warm as I'd hoped.

She'd never really liked me, but since I gave birth to Luke, she kept her opinions to herself.

Now, with Emily standing right there, she said, "Honestly, I never wanted you as my daughter-in-law. But Eddie insisted Luke needs his real mom, so I didn't object when you two got back together.

"But you used to be so dramatic. In a family like ours, couldn't you settle things quietly? Did you really have to act like some drama queen and make a scene?

"Do you even realize how much the Shaw Family's stocks tanked because of you? Do you know Eddie couldn't hold his head up in public for two whole years?

You're not a Sutton anymore. If you want to stay with the Shaw Family, you better be clear about what's expected of you and what lines you shouldn't cross."

She wasn't holding back at all.

Edward frowned, about to say something, but I cut him off.

I gave a heartfelt apology.

"I know I messed up before," I said.

"I understand, Mom. I'll do better from now on, and I'll make sure Edward's comfortable," I added.

I put on my best good-girl face.

That left Edward speechless, his words stuck in his throat.

*****