Hearing that it was her daughter calling, Victoria let out a small sigh of relief.


    For a moment, she''d thought McNeil was up to some new mischief again.


    "Mummy, tomorrow''s my birthday. Will youe?"


    Gwh''s voice was intive and hopeful.


    Victoria paused, realizing it had been nearly five days since shest heard from Gwh-the longest stretch since she''d promised her that new video game.


    She must have grown tired of asking. Every time, Victoria told her, "Wait until your birthday."


    Now, atst, the day hade.


    "Yes, I''ll bring your game over tomorrow," Victoria replied.


    Gwh squealed with delight on the other end, but as soon as the words left her mouth, Victoria regretted it.


    Gwh was almost certainly staying at Winding Peak Lane with Violet. Bringing her birthday present meant Victoria would have to go there too.


    And that house-Violet''s house-was the one ce Victoria dreaded most.


    It had been her and McNeil''s home for six years, their private haven—until he went and bought an identical one for his mistress.


    Even now, after the divorce papers were signed and she told herself she no longer cared, Victoria couldn''t stomach the thought.


    It was as if someone had spat into her favorite dish. No matter how many times you wiped it clean, you''d never want to eat it again.


    "You''re the best, Mummy! You''re amazing!"


    Gwh cheered, her joy infectious.


    "Gwyn, McNeil, I cut up some fruit. Come have some. Gwyn, I made your favorite cupcakes too—but don''t eat too many sweets at night, or you''ll lose your pretty figure!"


    Just as Gwh finished celebrating, Violet''s voice drifted over faintly from the background.


    Suddenly, Gwh''s tone dropped to a whisper. Victoria guessed she was covering the phone with her hand.


    "Mummy, it''ste. I have to go to bed now."


    She forced a big yawn, trying her best to sound sleepy.


    Victoria''s voice was t, emotionless. "Alright. Get some sleep."


    She didn''t remind Gwh of anything, didn''t ask about school. She just ended the call.


    Victoria knew exactly what was happening-Gwh was eager to get to the fruit and cupcakes Violet had prepared.


    It waste. After being jolted awake by Gwh''s call, Victoria''s tiredness was starting to return.


    She showered, then slipped gratefully under her warm covers.


    The room was the one she''d grown up in, the one her mother had lovingly prepared for her.


    Lying in that familiar bed, she felt as though she were wrapped in her mother''s arms. For the first time in a while, Victoria''s mind was blissfully free of thoughts about Gwh, McNeil, or anyone else.


    She fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.


    ***


    The next morning, Victoria woke to find a text from Gwh waiting on her phone. "Mummy, I''m home! I''ll be waiting for you!"


    Gwh hadn''t slept all night. The moment dawn broke, she''d messaged Victoria.


    Then she went looking for McNeil, only to discover Violet was already up too. Gwh froze—she''d been hoping to catch McNeil alone, ask him to take her home to wait for her mother, and thene back here to celebrate with Violet after she got her game.


    But now Violet was awake. How was she supposed to pull this off?


    Worried that Violet might get upset and knowing she''d already texted her mother -Gwh panicked. If her mom saw the message, she''d definitelye home looking for her.


    "Well, look who''s up early-the birthday girl herself!"


    Violet smiled brightly at Gwh.


    McNeil nced over and ruffled Gwh''s hair.


    "You really are growing up, aren''t you?"


    Instead of feeling proud, Gwh felt her anxiety spike. How was she supposed


    to ask to go home now?


    "Violet, you''re up early too," she mumbled.


    Violet crouched down to Gwh''s level, her eyes kind.


    "So, you love racing cars, don''t you?"