The hickeys on her neck were impossible to miss.
She draped her arms around Edmund's neck, her voice syrupy and coy.
"Did you drop Felix off at school?"
"Baby, since nobody's home, can we go another round?"
"Cut it out. Get some more sleep first, then I'll take you back. If Louisa finds out, she'll make a scene."
Edmund said no, but he didn't push her away.
The girl curled her lip in contempt.
"So what? That washed-up frump is nothing but a free nanny you brought in to take care of Felix for my sister. The marriage certificate isn't even real."
"I'm not your little sister-in-law anymore, you know. I'm your legally recognized wife." She poked his chest playfully. "So when are you going to get rid of her? I want to live with you out in the open."
Edmund paused. Then he reached over and gently stroked her hair.
"Taking care of a kid is exhausting. Louisa grew up rough, so she's better suited for that kind of thing."
"All you need to do is exactly what you're doing now: enjoy yourself, and be my carefree little princess."
A roar filled my skull. The phone shook violently in my grip.
Staring at the girl's familiar face, it finally clicked.