Chapter 353
Lindy shot Friedman a look, warning him to keep quiet.
Of course, when a young couple is together, it’s only natural they want a bit of
privacy.
Just then, Effie chimed in, “Sounds great! I love a lively crowd.”
Suzan Bagnold, watching from a short distance away, narrowed her eyes and muttered through clenched teeth, “So fake.”
Jealousy twisted in Suzan’s chest. She couldn’t understand it-Effie was hardly anyone special, just someone’s castoff, yet the Etheridge parents doted on her.
Meanwhile, Suzan was forced to lurk in the shadows, like some pariah, never allowed to show her face.
Today, Adeline had gone off to a luncheon with the other society ladies, but for once, she hadn’t invited Suzan along.
Maybe it was because Suzan’s pregnancy was too conspicuous now. Or maybe Adeline was still annoyed after the fiasco at the last tea party.
But what really rankled was: why did Effie get to be happy when Suzan couldn’t?
“Suzan, just bear with it. Keep your head down and things will blow over,” Vera whispered, leaning in.
Suzan turned to look at Vera. Truthfully, Vera’s own position was precarious, too.
She’d clawed her way into the Bagnold family, edging out Adriana Spencer to become the new lady of the house, but everyone knew she hadn’t played fair. The other women in their circle didn’t approve of her, and she was never really welcome at their gatherings. If she forced her way in, they wouldn’t kick her out directly, but when it came time for group photos, they’d crop her out of every picture before posting them online.
Some of them even went so far as to slap a sticker over her face.
Their message couldn’t have been clearer: she simply didn’t belong.
Vera’s social standing was always just a little too low. Pushing her way in only made her look desperate, but she never seemed to mind.
Now, she turned to Suzan. “Listen, you just need to hold on until the baby’s born and you marry into the Lloyd family. Once that happens, my own status will rise with yours!”
Suzan nodded, a spark of hope in her eyes. “Let’s see who dares keep you out of their parties then, or crop you out of their photos!”
Vera winced. Did Suzan have to spell it out like that? She had some pride, after all.
Suzan sighed. “But my stomach’s been hurting a lot lately. The doctor says I need bed rest.”
“I don’t want to stay in bed! You have no idea, Mom. Mitchell Lloyd has lost his mind-he’s totally ignoring me. He’s always out chasing women. Now he’s found one who looks just like Effie. He takes her to hotels all the time! Once, he even brought her back to our apartment-I caught them together. Mitchell just told me if I couldn’t handle it, I could leave!”
Suzan broke down in tears.
Vera, embarrassed by the scene, quickly soothed her and pulled her into a private
room.
She whispered urgently, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? You didn’t lose your temper with him, did you?”
Suzan pressed her lips together, eyes darting away.
Vera could guess from her reaction.
“Oh, Suzan, you fool. You can’t lose your temper with him—not now!”
Suzan’s eyes filled with tears. “I just couldn’t help it. I really love him.”
And she wanted all of him-couldn’t stand to share.
Vera shook her head, feeling sorry for her. She knew all too well: in love, the one who gives the most is usually the one who ends up losing.