Victoria froze, halfway through getting dressed, caught off guard by Gwh''s request.


    She''d just had a tense run-in with McNeil-his touch had been met with


    indifference, even outright rejection from her. Agreeing to Gwh''s wish was one thing, but McNeil?


    He''d never appeared with her together in public. Victoria wasn''t sure she could do it, and she certainly couldn''t answer on McNeil''s behalf.


    Gwh''s eyes were full of hope. Usually, it was always Daddy and Ms. Marchand who picked her up from school. She was happy enough with that, buttely, her ssmates had started asking why it was always her dad and Violet- didn''t she have a mom?


    She wanted her friends to know that she did have a mother. That''s why she''d made the request.


    And after getting lost not long ago, Gwh had been terrified she''d never see her mom again.


    Memories of her mother''s care, her gentle hugs-warmer and sweeter than Ms. Marchand''s had flooded her when she sat alone, frightened and helpless on the sidewalk.


    "Mommy, I''ll be good from now on. I won''t make you mad anymore."


    She was so scared of being apart from her mom again.


    Gwh reached out and clung to Victoria''s hand. McNeil''s face was cold, but when he looked at his daughter, his expression softened.


    "Daddy will pick you up with Mommy tonight."


    That was as good as a promise. Victoria couldn''t bring herself to refuse, not when it was their daughter asking.


    She could turn her back on anyone-except Gwh.


    "Okay, honey. Mommy loves you so much."


    Gwh dove into Victoria''s arms,tching onto her like a little ko, refusing to let go.


    Holding her daughter close, Victoria was overwhelmed by a rush of emotions.


    A momentter, McNeil was pulling on his suit jacket. "You''ll take Gwyn to schoolter. I have to get to the office," he said, opening the door and heading downstairs.


    Victoria heard the car start up outside-McNeil was gone.


    He''d left the chauffeur behind, and Victoria was free to choose any car in the garage.


    That morning, Victoria helped Gwh wash up, tying her hair into a pretty braid and dressing her in her favorite princess dress.


    Maybe because she was still recovering, Gwh stayed glued to Victoria''s side, even curling up in herp during the drive.


    Victoria hugged her daughter, her heart melting at Gwh''s rosy cheeks and contented smile.


    This was the daughter she knew.


    When they reached the school gates, Victoria held Gwh''s hand as they


    walked up together. The teacher nced up, surprised.


    "Gwh''s mother! We don''t see you often. I suppose you and your husband are


    both very busy-normally, it''s your driver who brings her in."


    Victoria paused. She''d always assumed McNeil and Violet dropped Gwh off every day, but apparently, even that was rare.


    Gwh clung to her mother''s hand, reluctant to let go.


    "I understand. I''ll bring Gwh to school myself from now on."


    She handed Gwh over to the teacher and kissed her on the cheek.


    "Mommy, you and Daddy have toe together," Gwh said again, her voice earnest.


    Victoria crouched down to look her in the eye. "I''ll be there, sweetheart. I promise."


    As for McNeil, she didn''t expect anything he never liked to be seen in public with her.


    Gwh kept looking back with every step, only following the teacher inside when she''d finally lost sight of Victoria.


    During recess, all the kids were brought out to the yground.


    Gwh, still a little under the weather, sat on the steps watching the others y, her chin propped in her hands, cheeks puffed out in a sulky pout.


    "Gwyn..."