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    He thought, ''If she had found out, with her temper, she wouldn''t just be throwing a few jabs. She''d be burning the whole house down."


    udia seized the moment to chime in, her voiceced with feigned concern, "That''s right, Rosalie. If I''ve done something to upset you, just tell me. There''s no need to say something so hurtful, okay?"


    udia shot a nce at Helena, whose face had turned deathly pale, her eyes brimming with resentment. Then, udia continued in a soft, measured tone, "Helena has always been frail since she was a child-you know that. What you just said was truly too cruel."


    Watching Edward and udia put on their pathetic little performance, Rosalie couldn''t even muster the interest to enjoy the show. She responded tly, "Nothing. Just in a bad mood."


    She strolled over to the couch and sat down, crossing her legs leisurely. "And when I''m in a bad mood, I need an outlet. You two have been living off my family all these years, yet you''ve never contributed anything worthwhile.


    "Now that I happen to be feeling upset, why don''t you let me vent a little? Think of it as finally repaying me for over a decade of rent. At least you''d be of some use for once."


    "Rosalie." Edward could no longer tolerate her sharp tongue. His voice cracked like a whip, his anger spilling over. "Have I spoiled you too much?


    "When did you be so vicious and mean? Do you even know what respect is? She''s your stepmother. Did all those etiquette lessons you learned as a child go to waste?"


    Seeing Edward''s fury explode at Rosalie, udia and Helena both felt a wave of satisfaction wash over them.


    udia sneered internally, "That wretch has such a nasty mouth. She deserves to be put in her ce.


    But outwardly, she maintained her facade of gentle kindness, ying the ever- gracious peacemaker. She sighed and reached out to lightly tug at Edward''s sleeve, pleading, "Forget it, Edward. Rosalie already said she''s in a bad mood. Let''s not me her, okay? Come on, let''s eat."


    Her voice was soft and forgiving, but at just the right moment, her eyes turned red, misting over with unshed tears. The unspoken grievance in her expression was heartbreakingly pitiful, making Edward''s heart twist with pain.


    He nced at his tender, understanding wife, then at his cold, sharp-tongued daughter. The contrast infuriated him further, and heshed out at Rosalie with even harsher words.


    Mon, 3