"We''re family—there''s no need for thanks."
Stein sat down beside her, his presence reassuring.
"I bought this ce, you know. It''s yours whenever you need it.”
Victoria''s eyes shimmered with tears.
"Stein-" she whispered.
He reached out, ruffling her hair with gentle affection, the way you''dfort a child.
After a moment of silence, he made up his mind to tell her the truth.
"When you were taken, McNeil showed up. He wanted to take you away, but I wouldn''t let him."
The tears faded from Victoria''s eyes, reced by a cold, distant look.
Stein sighed inwardly. Matters of the heart were never simple.
He still remembered the way Victoria had once been determined-almost desperate to marry McNeil, no matter what anyone said. And over the years, everyone close to the family knew just how much she''d endured.
It didn''t help that McNeil''s name was constantly tangled up in tabloid rumors with other women. The gossip columns made sure there was no ignoring it.
"I''m not going back to the Langford family," Victoria said quietly.
She couldn''t forget how, after Violet''s return, McNeil had grown cold, indifferent- how he''d med her for things she never did, for no reason at all.
She''d loved him for so many years, but she was tired now. It was time to let go.
"No matter what you decide, you have my support," Stein said.
He was always on her side. That meant the world to Victoria.
At least she wasn''t alone.
As soon as she was able to move her hand a little, Victoria reached out to Ailie.
When Ailie answered the phone, she nearly burst into tears.
"Where have you been all this time? I was about to put out a missing person''s report! I almost called McNeil to see if he knew anything."
Ailie had been terrified that something awful had happened.
Victoria didn''t want her to worry, so she made up a simple excuse.
"I had to travel for something personal. I''m sorry I made you all worry."
She hesitated, biting her lip. "If Mr. Garcia is upset with me for disappearing like
that, I''ll understand if he wants to let me go."
Ailie let out a tearfulugh. "Don''t be
ridiculous. He''d never fire you.
Honestly, he''s been like a ghost
sin?@you left. As soon as you''re back, call me. I''lle pick you up."
"Alright."
Victoria chatted with Ailie a little longer, but she was already feeling exhausted.
Her mind wandered to a few other people—Max and Marcus.
She hadn''t heard anything about them since that car ident. She wondered if they were alright.
Just as she picked up her phone to call Marcus, it buzzed with a call from Gwh.
Victoria frowned slightly. There were several missed calls from her daughter; it had been a long time
since they''d really talked. Wel
Sh calling so often now?
was
She dialed back, and Gwh''s voice was soft and a little sulky.
"Mom, where are you? When are youing home?"
Victoria''s voice was weak. "I have some things to take care of, sweetheart. I might not be able toe home for a while."
She had no idea how long her recovery would take—and honestly, she couldn''t face going back to McNeil''s house.
"But Mom, you promised you''d find that game for me. If you''re not here, I can''t y it."
At first, Victoria thought maybe McNeil had put Gwh up to calling her, but it turned out her little
girl was just missing her promised game.
Victoria smiled faintly. "I''ll keep my promise, honey. I just need a little time, okay?"
She clutched the phone, listening to the disappointment in Gwh''s voice.
"How much longer? The games here are boring now."
No matter how Violet tried to entertain her, nothing interested Gwh anymore.
She was just waiting for her mom to keep her word.
"Soon," Victoria promised.
She didn''t have the energy for a long conversation.
"Gwyn, I have to take care of something right now. Let''s talkter, okay? Wait for me."
Without waiting for Gwh''s reply, Victoria ended the call.