Chapter 13

• On the huge hanging porch, Edgar's family and Vivienne's family sat together, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. Vivienne's parents sat close to each other, their love evident in the way they looked at each other. Edgar's parents were laughing and chatting with each other, their years of marriage shining through in their easy conversation. While the others were scattered around the porch, each in their world, lost in their thoughts.
• Edgar sat next to Rosalind on the porch, his arm around her shoulders. He looked at her with a soft smile, his eyes shining with love. Rosalind smiled back at him, her heart full of happiness. But Vivienne felt a pang in her heart as she watched them. She couldn't help but feel sad, this was supposed to be her married to Edgar. She glared resentfully at Rosalind from her position beside her sister on the couch opposite the smiling lovebirds. She wondered if she would be able to strangle her right now and go scot-free.
• Vivienne tried to keep her emotions in check, but she could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. She had thought that she and Edgar had something special, something that no one could ever take away. But now, as she watched him with Rosalind, she realized that she had been mistaken. He had moved on, and she was left behind. She felt a sense of loss, of emptiness, that she couldn't shake. Blinking back the foolish tears and tried to keep her composure. She didn't want anyone to see her like this, vulnerable and raw.