The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

Hawthorne's gaze was calm, almost indifferent. "Or maybe all these gardens have looked the same for years."

Gwyneth thought so too. Since they had plenty of time, the two of them wandered around and took in every corner of the place.

"How many days do you plan on staying here?" Hawthorne asked.

He was thinking, now that their engagement was official, they ought to go to Greenvale soon to share the good news with the Everharts. Gwyneth considered

it for a moment. "Up to you. I don't mind either way."

In other words, she was ready to leave at any time.

"Then let's stay a few more days. After all, soon you'll be more than just the Langfords' daughter-you'll be Mrs. Everhart."

He wanted her to have more time with her family, especially with her two jealous younger siblings.

Gwyneth had no objections. Thanksgiving was still almost two weeks away; she could easily spend a little more time at home.

A thought struck her, and she looked up at Hawthorne. "What about you?"

He paused and glanced at her, his grip on her hand tightening just a little.

"I need to head back to Greenvale first."

Gwyneth had expected as much. He'd already been away for several days; his company and family were there in Greenvale. As CEO, he couldn't just linger with her forever.

Even though she knew he had to go, Gwyneth was surprised by how hard it was to watch him leave. Somehow, it felt even worse than leaving Victoria behind. "Oh."

Hawthorne chuckled. “I'm just going back to take care of some things. I'll come back for you, and we'll head to Greenvale together to see my brother and sister- in-law-and your little niece. Don't you want to tell her the big news yourself?"

That's when Gwyneth remembered Leonie. God, how was she supposed to break it to Leonie that she and Hawthorne were getting married? Where would she even begin?

Just thinking about facing Leonie made Gwyneth's head ache. When she'd first arrived, Leonie had been worried Gwyneth's new uncle would take advantage of her, but it turned out Gwyneth was the one stealing him away-and taking him with her, no less.

This was... complicated.

"Why don't we tell her together when we go?"

.n

Over the past few days, when Leonie called, Gwyneth only said she had some family matters to attend to. Leonie would chat with her and mention that her uncle hadn't visited in days-half worried, half gleeful, guessing maybe he was on anoveldrama

business trip and she could finally relax.

Whenever the conversation turned to Hawthorne, Gwyneth would quickly steer it away, leaving Leonie to assume she just wasn't interested in her@ncle. Little did she know Hawthorne was being whisked away.

Hawthorne squeezed her hand. "Of course. I won't let you face this alone."

He had that not-quite-a-smile look on his face, and Gwyneth's cheeks flushed pink.

They stayed in the new house until after lunch, then headed over to the Thorpe family's old manor.

Chris, Celia, and Victoria had been there a few days already, and they all knew Gwyneth would be back again.

This time, Hawthorne didn't accompany her. He went straight to Greenvale on his private jet.

Seeing Gwyneth arrive alone, Celia and Chris finally seemed to relax a little.

"Your husband left?" Chris grumbled, still not entirely pleased. But with his sister staying, he felt a bit more at ease.

"Yeah, he had some business matters to take care of."

"So... is there a chance he won't come back?" Chris asked, voice dripping with sarcasm.

Victoria shot him a sharp look. "Chris, watch your mouth. If your sister doesn't get married, are you going to take care of her for the rest of her life?"

Chris scoffed, "I'd like to, but look at her now-would she even let me?"