The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

Victoria fixed McNeil with an icy stare. "Suit yourself."

She turned on her heel and walked away without a hint of hesitation. Behind her, McNeil coughed up a mouthful of blood.

He dropped to one knee, bracing himself with a hand on the floor, refusing to collapse completely.

Victoria was nearly at the restaurant's entrance when one of the bodyguards hurried to block her path.

"Ma'am"

She shot him a cold look, and he immediately dropped his gaze. "Ms. Turner, Mr. Langford just started coughing up blood. Could you— maybe?”

They'd worked for McNeil for years, but none of them had ever seen Mr. Langford in this state.

"Coughing up blood?"

A flash of memories flickered through Victoria's mind.

The accident. McNeil and Randy, the twisted wreckage. Victoria had nearly bled out to save McNeil. Mann had fetched Violet to save Randy.

She stared back at the bodyguard. "Let him cough. How much could he possibly cough up? Enough to give back all the blood I lost saving him?"

Without another word, Victoria strode off.

The bodyguard watched her retreating figure and, for the first time, realized how much Mrs. Langford had changed.

She used to love Mr. Langford so much she would have died for him. Now, she seemed perfectly capable of watching him die without a flicker of emotion.

McNeil emerged from the back, barely staying upright as four bodyguards rushed over to support him.

"Take me back to Starfall City."

"Mr. Langford, shouldn't we get you to a hospital?"

Blood stained his lips and his once-white shirt, the red shockingly bright. Anyone seeing him would think he might not make it.

"I said take me back to Starfall City. Do you not understand English?"

Even bloodied, McNeil's voice was forceful enough to make the bodyguards tremble. They hustled him into the car without further protest.

Victoria brought the three children home. Two of McNeil's bodyguards were waiting.

"Ms. Turner, Mr. Langford asked us to bring Miss Gwyneth home."

Just as she hoped, McNeil was gone. He had sent the bodyguards to collect Gwyneth.

Gwyneth clung to Victoria's sleeve. "Mommy, where is Daddy taking me?"

She'd been here for several months now-Daddy had even arranged for her to transfer schools.

This kindergarten was much bigger and more fun than the one in Starfall City. "Back to Starfall City."

Victoria knelt down in front of Gwyneth, gently straightening her little dress. For the first time in ages, she pressed a kiss to her daughter's cheek. The feelings she thought she'd lost had been slowly returning during these days spent together.

Gwyneth stared at her, stunned.

"Mommy, you don't want me anymore?"

Victoria smiled faintly. "Of course I do. Daddy just hopes you'll go back with him.

He won't be living here anymore."

Gwyneth's face fell in an instant.

"If Daddy's not living here, that's fine, but... I want to stay with Chris and Celia- and with you."

Victoria's expression tightened.

It wasn't that she didn't want Gwyneth with her; she just worried Gwyneth didn't want her in return.

Maybe it was because McNeil had been around lately. If he left, maybe in time Gwyneth would miss Violet instead.

She tried to remind her gently, "If you don't go, won't your Aunt Violet miss you?"

Gwyneth pouted, her lips sticking out in protest.

"Aunt Violet is always busy. She hasn't visited me in ages."

She didn't want to go back. She clung to Victoria's clothes, eyes pleading.

"Mommy, I want to stay with my little brother and sister. Please?"

For years, Gwyneth had been alone-eating, playing, growing up in solitude. Occasionally, she'd visit her great-grandfather's house and have cousins to play with, but mostly she was by herself.

Now she finally had a brother and sister. She didn't want to go back to Starfall City and spend her days alone in her room or playing video games by herself. She was tired of that life.

She didn't want to go back.

Victoria hesitated. The bodyguards were still waiting.

"Call your father yourself. If he agrees, you can stay."noveldrama

She motioned for the housekeeper to bring over the phone and handed it to Gwyneth. "You call Daddy."

McNeil was still waiting for the bodyguards to bring Gwyneth to his private jet. When she didn't appear, his phone rang.

It was an unfamiliar number, but very few people had his number. Maybe someone had gotten a new phone. Not wanting to miss anything important, he answered.

"Daddy, I don't want to go back to Starfall City. I want to stay with Mommy."

Gwyneth's small voice trembled through the phone.

McNeil's hand visibly shook as he held the phone.

On the other end, Gwyneth was close to tears.

For a long moment, McNeil said nothing. Then, finally, he replied, "Alright."