Violet hesitated for a moment before she finally couldn''t hold back and asked, “I called you so many times yesterday. Why didn''t you answer?"
Her voice trembled with hurt. He''d never done this to her before.
McNeil''s reply was curt. "Victoria came back yesterday. We had dinner together at home with Gwyn. It wasn''t convenient."
The words drained all the color from Violet''s face. Her hand shook so badly she could barely hold her phone.
"So... you and Victoria made up? That''s good, I suppose. As long as she doesn''t me me and fight with you again, I''ll be relieved."
Victoria''s return caught her off guard. She''d thought Victoria didn''t care about her and McNeil anymore. Why would shee back now?
Tears glimmered at the corners of Violet''s eyes; her heart twisted painfully in her chest.
"She won''t. I''ve calmed her down. I''m driving now-gotta go."
Before she could say another word, the line went dead, the beep of disconnection ringing in her ear. Violet nearly crushed the phone in her grip.
She opened her desk drawer, took out a bottle of pills, and after a long moment''s hesitation, swallowed one.
That afternoon, an ambnce pulled away from Quantum Core Technologies, a stretcher loaded in the back.
"Ms. Marchand really pushes herself too hard. How does someone wind up with a bleeding ulcer out of nowhere?"
"I heard she was seriously ill before. They say Mr. Langford spent a fortune to save her life."
When Violet was carried out of the office, the wholepany was buzzing.
"I just don''t get it-she''s got such a capable boyfriend. Why work herself to death like that?"
By the time McNeil got the call about Violet being hospitalized, it was already noon. He was still at home, having lunch with Victoria, just as he''d arranged.
"Mr. Langford, should I have a car ready to take you to the hospital?" his assistant asked, stepping into the dining room.
McNeil paused, then shook his head. "You go in my ce and check on Ms. Marchand. I can''t get away right now."
The assistant blinked in surprise. Mr. Langford''s girlfriend was in the hospital, and he couldn''t go?
Then she remembered thest time Ms. Turner visited the office and stayed in the boss''s office for hours, barely able to walk out afterward. She quickly caught on and nodded. "Understood. I''ll head over right away."
McNeil called the hospital to make arrangements. The hospital director answered, exining that Violet was in surgery, but her life wasn''t in immediate danger.
"Good. Make sure she gets the best room and the best doctors. Cost is not an issue," McNeil said.
He drove back to the vi, calling Victoria on the way. She was almost home. He ordered a bouquet of flowers, timing the delivery so it would arrive just as Victoria got there.
Sure enough, when he pulled up to the house, Victoria''s car was already in the driveway. The delivery service arrived with the flowers at the same moment. Victoria signed for them, a little confused, then looked up to see McNeil climbing out of his car, impably dressed, striding towards the front door.
"Hey, honey. Do you like them?" he called out, grinning as he ced the huge bouquet of scarlet roses in her arms. While she was still stunned, McNeil leaned in and kissed her.
Just then, Gwh bounded down the stairs and caught sight of them.
"Eww-what are you and Dad doing?" she squealed, about to run over, but McNeil grabbed her by the cor and set her gently to the side.
"Wash your hands. It''s time for lunch."
Victoria nced at the bouquet. As she passed the trash can on her way to the dining room, she tossed the roses straight in.
McNeil''s smile froze. He watched, his expression darkening.
"Victoria, what''s that supposed to mean?"
His face grew stormy as Victoria looked up at him, all innocence. "Oh, I saw a
bouquet in the trash yesterday when I got home. Isn''t that your thing, Mr. Langford -buying flowers just to throw them out? Was there something wrong with me throwing them in, too?"