Despite being barely literate, an ugly face, and some odd quirks, he had managed to drive away


    five wives. One even took such a desperate leap from the eleventh floor that she was still in aa


    at the hospital.


    Biting back her anger, Edna looked up at her two sisters-inw. "Thanks for the concern, but Jonah


    and I are doing just fine. We haven''t tied the knot yet because we''re taking the kids'' feelings into


    ount. Oh, and would you mind letting Mom and Dad know that I won''t be home for dinner


    tonight?"


    With that, Edna stood up to leave.


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    Patsy, puzzled, asked, "Where are you off to on The Christmas Eve?"


    Samantha was equally curious.


    Edna replied with a smile, "Tonight, I''m taking Darleen over to Jonah''s ce for Christmas."


    Visiting the Lindsays for Christmas was something J had mentioned to her a while back.


    The room fell silent at her words.


    It had been years. This was the first time Edna was going to spend Christmas with the Lindsays.


    Could it be that things were finally getting serious?


    "Really?" Patsy was skeptical.


    The others might not know the full story, but she knew it all too well.


    Over the years, Jonah had never truly shown interest in Edna.


    It had always been a one-sided affair for Edna and J.


    Otherwise, Patsy wouldn''t have tried to set Edna up with Edgar.


    "Patsy,e on, do you really think I''d lie about something like this?" Edna''s smile hid her sharp


    retort.


    Her family were all smiling tigers – hoping she would marry Jonah and elevate the Fletchers to new


    heights, yet fearing she would be thedy of the Lindsay estate.


    How absurd.


    Patsy smirked without humor, "Well, ns can change. Some words are better left unsaid."


    "You''re right, Patsy. It''s just a shame when someone wastes eighteen years for nothing, only to end


    up with broken dreams," Samantha chimed in with sarcasm.


    Edna''s expression remained unchanged, but inside, she sneered.


    Just wait! When she became thedy of the Lindsay family, she''d make them all regret their actions


    today!


    Just then, Jessica Fletcher came downstairs.


    Hearing her daughters-inw''s mocking of Edna, she did not interject but instead turned to Edna.


    "Your sisters-inw are right. A woman doesn''t get a second chance at another eighteen years.


    Edgar may not be a looker, but he''s wealthy and influential. I''ve heard that the newly appointed


    official is his rtive!"


    Pausing for emphasis, Jessica continued earnestly, "Don''t miss out on a good opportunity for a man


    who doesn''t have you in his heart. I''m your mother, I wouldn''t steer you wrong."


    Edna''s eyes shed with scorn.


    Her mother was always shrewd, stillying out ns for her sons even as she neared her twilight


    years.


    Marrying Edgar – who stood to gain the most? Clearly, the Fletchers!


    Did they really think she was that naive?


    She had waited for Jonah for eighteen long years. She couldn''t just give up now!


    Edgar was nothingpared to Jonah – not worth the dirt under Jonah''s fingernails.


    "Mom, I know you mean well, but there''s no love between Edgar and me. Please, let''s not talk about


    this anymore. By the way, have you seen Darleen?"


    "Mom, did you call me?" Darleen, along with some cousins, came in from outside.


    Edna nodded, "We''re going to spend Christmas Eve at Keeley''s ce. Get ready, darling."