Victoria stood there in a daze, utterly bewildered.
Chaos erupted around her, drawing the attention of both the gallery''s security and the visitors. Nearly everyone paused, eager to watch the spectacle unfold.
Violet and McNeil stood side by side, the picture of a perfect couple, their eyes drifting toward themotion.
Victoria hurried over and managed to separate Osborn and Marcus before things escted further.
The crowd swelled, everyone catching on that this was a ssic case-two men fighting over a woman.
"Who knew? Victoria''s more popr than she looks," someonemented with a smirk.
Violet spotted Victoria at the center of the drama. This time, McNeil''s supposed rival had shown up in person.
She shot McNeil a pointed nce. “So, what''s the real story between you and Victoria? Did she misunderstand us and decide to cheat because of it?"
McNeil had no idea who Osborn was or why anyone thought he was fighting for Victoria''s affection. If he had to guess, Osborn was probably the guy who''d picked Victoria up from Teague''s ce.
"She''s not my concern anymore," McNeil replied coolly.
He didn''t borate, but Violet''s heart skipped a beat. Not his concern? What was that supposed to mean?
She was sharp enough to know when not to push. If McNeil didn''t want to talk, she wouldn''t press him.
At least she understood one thing-something Victoria clearly hadn''t grasped: Victoria''s attempts to catch McNeil''s attention had backfired spectacrly.
"Daddy, what''s going on over there? Is that a fight? Is that Mommy?" Gwh tugged at McNeil, peering over at themotion.
With a stony expression, McNeil steered his daughter away. "That''s not your mom."
Meanwhile, security finally intervened, urging Osborn and Marcus to stand down or maybe the two men simply wore themselves out.
"Osborn, have you lost your mind?" Victoria snapped, barely restraining herself from saying worse. Osborn''s lip was split, his eyes full of disdain. "You''re really defending this jerk?"
Victoria gritted her teeth. "He''s not my husband."
"Not your husband? Then who is he?" Osborn''s eyes cleared with sudden realization.
Had he just punched the wrong guy?
"He''s just a friend. Nothing more," Victoria replied.
Then she had to turn and exin the entire mess to Marcus as well.
"I''m fine. Your boyfriend was just worried about you-I can''t me him," Marcus said, though inwardly he was already plotting to knock Osborn out the next time they crossed paths.
Victoria shot him an exasperated look. "He''s not my boyfriend."
Marcus fell silent.
By the time Victoria finally made it home, it waste. Her mind was a jumble-she didn''t even have the energy to think about McNeil.
She headed for a shower to unwind, but her phone rang. It was Gwh. Victoria considered ignoring it, but her daughter kept calling, so she relented and picked
up.
"What is it, sweetheart?"
It was well past bedtime, but Gwh was still awake.
"Mommy, what about that game? When are youing home to y with me again?"
After leaving the museum, McNeil had bought her a new doll, but it had only held her attention for half an hour before she was bored. Earlier that day, Max had beaten her at a game. Now, the more she thought about it, the more upset she became.
These days, it seemed the only thing Gwh wanted from her was another round of their favorite game.
"Mommy''s just a little busy right now. Can we y together in a few days?" Victoria tried to soothe her.
But Gwh wouldn''t let it go.
"But Mommy, you''re always busy. I haven''t seen you in ages. Can''t youe home and stay with me?"
"Didn''t I just take you to the amusement park a few days ago?" Victoria reminded her. The moment Gwh saw Violet, she''d run straight to her,pletely forgetting about her own mom.
"But..." Gwh''s voice quivered, clearly gearing up to pout.
Victoria cut in gently, "Tell you what, let''s make that game your birthday present, okay? Be good for me, honey. I need to get your birthday gift ready, so I can''te home for a while. We''ll celebrate together on your birthday, all right?"