Victoria didn''t want to argue with him in front of their daughter. She just scooped Gwyn up in her arms and carried her back to the bedroom.


    Xenia had already turned on the soft, warm bedsidemp in Gwyn''s room. She remembered how Gwyn had always been afraid of the dark and so clingy as a little girl. Before Violet came into their lives, Xenia used to stay by her side until she fell asleep.


    Now, Gwyn was clinging tightly to Victoria, her small face full of worry.


    "Mommy, you''re not going to leave, are you?"


    Earlier, when she''d gotten lost, it was Max who found her. Max seemed like a nice person, too.


    But for some reason, the thought that Mommy might be Max''s aunt, and that they might end up living together like she and Violet did, made Gwh''s heart twist ufortably.


    She wrapped her arms around Victoria''s neck, refusing to let go even when Victoria tried to tuck her into bed.


    Victoria gently stroked her daughter''s hair, her voice soft and soothing. "No, sweetheart, I''m not going anywhere. I''ll stay right here with you."


    Gwh really had been terrified back in the za.


    Victoria had never seen her daughter so shaken before. Even with McNeil standing right beside them, Gwh only wanted her mother.


    Victoria had raised Gwh herself-seeing her daughter so scared and upset broke her heart.


    Gwh adored Violet, and no matter how uneasy Victoria sometimes felt about it, she wanted her daughter to be happy.


    But now, with her own little girl curled up in her arms-this child she''d carried for nine months, risked her life to bring into the world-how could she ever think of leaving?


    "Be good, Gwyn. Try to get some sleep."


    She pressed a kiss to Gwh''s cheek andy down beside her, holding her close.


    Only after she was sure that Mommy wasn''t leaving did Gwh finally rx. She curled up tighter in Victoria''s arms, still holding on to her neck, as if afraid she might disappear at any moment.


    "Sir, Mrs. Langford''ste-night snack is ready. Should I bring it up for her? There''s a te for you as well-would you like me to bring yours, too?"


    Xenia watched the familye home together, her heart swelling with relief for them.


    She''d worked for the Langfords even longer than Haley had. Haley was Victoria''s maid, always loyal and trustworthy, but Xenia considered herself part of the family after all these years.


    As soon as Victoria stepped inside, Xenia had gone straight to the kitchen to prepare a little something for her.


    "No, that''s all right. I''ll take it up myself."


    McNeil had just finished a cigarette, his solitary figure framed by the tall window.


    His phone had been buzzing in his pocket for a while. He knew it was Violet calling, but he hadn''t answered.


    After his third cigarette, Violet''s call came in again. This time, he finally lifted the phone to his ear. "Hello?"


    "Are youing home tonight?"


    Violet''s voice was gentle, almost hesitant, tinged with concern.


    "I''m staying here. Gwyn has a fever-I need to look after her."


    Usually when she was ying, Gwh liked to follow Violet around, but when


    she was sick and neededfort, it was Victoria she wanted.


    Maybe that was just the bond between mother and child.


    No one could ever take her ce.


    McNeil kept his voice low. Even though Victoria and Gwyn were upstairs, nowhere near enough to overhear, he still worried about disturbing them.


    Violet didn''t try to change his mind. "Is Gwyn all right? She probably just got frightened. I was going toe over, but I thought you might not want that."


    Her tone was warm and caring, with a hint of longing.


    Thest time she''d tried to stay over and help, McNeil had refused. Violet wasn''t naive-she knew better than to push him on things he didn''t want.


    She also didn''t suggest bringing Gwh back to Winding Peak Lane. After all,st night Gwh had worn her outpletely, and she''d been exhausted at work all day.


    Violet was new at Quantum Core Technologies, still trying to prove herself. Any mistake could be held against her, so she wanted to focus and do her best without distractions.


    "No need. Gwyn''s still unsettled-if we took her somewhere else, she''d just be more upset. I''ll stay here with her."