Chapter 18 Not Yet Expectant?

• "Why are you standing there, Julian? "Come on in," replied Madam Shaw. While Charlotte remained there, expressionless and as pale as a ghost, Julian approached Susan. Even though her relationship with Julian was brief, she always felt that she was unique among all of his wives. Why couldn't she be Mrs. Shaw if it was his destiny to have one? After three years of relentless self-improvement, she returned to win this man over. She had imagined countless ways they could meet. However, none of them matched what was in front of her eyes. Julian had really landed himself a wife.
• He and his wife were now standing before her! She had boasted to Susan the day before, which was the worst part. The recollection of what she had said now made Charlotte's face ache. Was she not the crazy lady now? She had a terrible look. She would have crawled into any hole in the earth if there had been one. "You have done well these few days." "I heard that Julian has been well-behaved these few days," Madam Shaw said blandly, glancing at Susan. "Yes, he has." Susan's back straightened.
• Susan would be tense when she faced Madam Shaw because she was a tough woman who reminded her of her disciplinary instructor. "What's causing your anxiety? Will you be eaten by me? Madam Shaw scowled. "You can take the girl out of the village, but you can never take the village out of the girl!" She had never been fond of Susan. Her family history was, after all, incomparable to that of a typical home. Her older sibling was ill. It was unclear if her brother's mental and cardiovascular issues were inherited.