Watching her unnecessary gesture, McNeil let out a dismissiveugh. "Victoria, is there any part of you I haven''t seen before?"


    Victoria''s expression turned even colder. "That was then. This is now."


    She was Victoria-no longer some Langford family essory, and certainly not anyone''s ything.


    "McNeil, this ends now."


    No love, no pain.


    No matter how crude his words, she felt nothing.


    The longing and devotion that used to fill her gaze-gone. He searched her eyes and saw only indifference.


    The woman who once gave everything for him withoutint, the wife who was anxious and insecure without him, the one who would fall apart at even a hint of another woman in his life-she was no more.


    Victoria''s face was remarkably calm, as if McNeil no longer held any power over her.


    He''d made the ssic mistake men always make a mistake women could never truly forgive.


    "McNeil. Do you remember that divorce you mentioned?"


    He no longer stirred her heart. McNeil had never really belonged to her alone, and she no longer wanted something so easily reced.


    The light in McNeil''s eyes faded, and the heat that had just red up between them was slowly snuffed out by Victoria''s icy tone.


    "I remember..."


    With that, all desire for her vanished. His interest evaporated, and Victoria seized the moment to unlock the car door.


    She and McNeil stepped out, one after the other. Xenia had already spotted the car idling at the gate, wondering why it hadn''t pulled in, and saw the chauffeur get out. She realized Mrs. Langford must be back too, and felt a wave of relief.


    Early that morning, Mr. Langford had unexpectedly brought Miss Gwh home with him. Gwh had seemed fine during the day, but by nightfall, something was clearly wrong.


    She''d been calling for Victoria, sobbing that she missed her mother. Xenia had spent ages calming her down and finally managed to get her to sleep.


    "Good evening, sir, ma''am." Xenia hadn''t seen them return together in a long time.


    "Where''s Gwyn?"


    If Gwh wasn''t home, McNeil wouldn''t have asked.


    "Miss Gwh just fell asleep-"


    Before Xenia could finish, Gwh came stumbling out of her room, barefoot and tear-streaked, eyes unfocused. She was crying for Victoria.


    "Gwyn..."


    Seeing her daughter bathed in sweat, Victoria moved to embrace her, but Gwh shrieked and tried to run away.


    "I want Mommy! I want my mommy!"


    She was crying, lost in some fever-dream. Victoria''s heart twisted painfully. She pulled Gwh close, gently rubbing her back. "Gwyn, it''s okay. Mommy''s here. Don''t be scared..."


    Maybe it was the sound of Victoria''s voice, but Gwh slowly began to calm down. McNeil watched the two of them, feeling a sharp ache in his chest.


    He stepped forward, gathering both mother and daughter in his arms.


    Victoria wiped the tears from Gwh''s cheeks, helping her see clearly. When Gwh realized her mother was truly there, she finally stopped crying, clinging to Victoria''s neck for dear life, tears still glistening at the corners of her eyes.


    "Mommy, don''t go. Please don''t leave Gwyn..."


    Victoria''s eyes shimmered, but she looked at McNeil as she spoke. "Gwyn has a fever. How did she get sick?"


    McNeil stared at Victoria for a solid minute. "You don''t know? She got lost. Ever since we found her at the park, she''s been crying and throwing fits. Victoria, who are you trying to fool?"