"McNeil, do you remember what it felt like when I used to wait for you at home?" Victoria''s voice was calm, almost distant, as he gripped her wrist. Her eyes were empty, unfocused.


    "What are you talking about?"


    She looked at him with a mild indifference. "Have you ever waited for someone, McNeil? Really waited?"


    He froze. Until tonight, he had never experienced that feeling.


    He had never waited for her. He kept her at home, and no matter when he returned, he always found a devoted wife waiting. If he wanted to see her, she''d always be there, keeping their home warm and inviting.


    But now, she shrugged off his grasp, mirroring the coldness and indifference he''d once shown her.


    "I''m not going to argue about tonight. I made money, and I''m happy-why shouldn''t I be? You have no right to interfere with my life, McNeil."


    A wave of frustration surged in his chest. He clenched and unclenched his fists,


    but when faced with her usation, he found himself at a loss for words.


    The ride home was silent. It waste, and Gwh was already asleep.


    Xenia was still up, waiting for them.


    She watched as the couple entered, one after the other. Mrs. Langford''s face was icy cold, but Mr. Langford looked even worse. He didn''t have his usual air of dominance; instead, there was something wounded and resentful about him—a look Xenia had never seen before, as if he was frustrated by his wife''s indifference.


    It used to be the other way around. Mrs. Langford would wait for her husband at home, or go out searching for him. But tonight, everything was different. Victoria was dressed strikingly, full of energy, while McNeil looked as if he''d had to drag her home against her will.


    Xenia couldn''t make sense of it.


    Victoria went upstairs, McNeil trailing behind.


    They entered the master bedroom together. Victoria opened the wardrobe, pulling


    out clothes for a shower, while McNeil sat in the room, radiating anger.


    He stared at the closed bathroom door, a cigarette hanging from his lips. He


    flicked his lighter several times, but the me wouldn''t catch.


    Eventually, he stepped out onto the balcony, finally managing to light the cigarette, though he never took a drag.


    He stood there for what felt like hours, bathed in moonlight. By the time he returned inside, Victoria was already asleep in bed.


    McNeil didn''t disturb her. He simply sat alone, awake through the night.


    Victoria slept deeply. When she woke the next morning, McNeil was gone, and she felt an odd sense of relief.


    She dressed and went downstairs. Xenia had already set out breakfast.


    "Good morning, Mrs. Langford."


    Victoria nced at the table-just one ce setting. There was no trace that anyone else had eaten.


    So McNeil had left early.


    She sat down quietly and asked, "Where''s Gwh?"


    It was still early, but the house was too quiet.


    "Mr. Langford took her with him. He got up before dawn, and little Gwh wasn''t happy about it," Xenia replied.


    "I see."


    Victoria took a sip of her simple, nourishing soup and made no furtherment.


    The next time she saw McNeil was at Quantum Core Technologies. Paul came in daily, right on schedule, to teach Victoria. Oddly enough, McNeil was even more punctual than when he was working at Vertex Dynamics-he never missed a day.


    Sometimes Paul would catch sight of McNeil and feel a wave of dread.


    "Cousin, I know Victoria''s your wife. I swear, I''m not going to do anything inappropriate. But can''t you let us have a normal conversation?"


    Paul''s face wasically miserable. What should have taken two weeks to teach, he was cramming into seven days, desperate to finish as quickly as possible. He no longer yed video games, just wrote lesson ns day and night, determined to escape the suffocating presence of his cousin.


    It had been five days already. In two more, he''d finally be free.


    He silently vowed never to fall in love again without first checking the family background.


    "You can. Once you''re finished teaching Victoria, I''ll appoint you as the head engineer of the newpany''s technology division. Then, you''ll have all the time you want to talk," McNeil replied.


    Paul looked as if he''d been struck by lightning.


    "Newpany? What newpany? Cousin, you know me—I''m not cut out for a real job. I just like cars and video games. Please, I''m begging you, have mercy!"


    The thought of a nine-to-five nearly made him faint.


    Through the ss, McNeil spotted Victoria approaching and fell silent.


    Paul heard the click of her heels and instantly shut his mouth, his usually bright eyes drooping like a forlorn puppy.


    Sincest night, Victoria and McNeil had been locked in a cold war, neither speaking to the other. But during Paul''s lessons, McNeil''s gaze never left her.


    Six years ago, Victoria had fallen for McNeil at first sight, and from then on, she was his constant shadow. Wherever he went, he could feel her unwavering love and devotion.


    He remembered those days well-the Langford Group was on the brink of copse, and he was overwhelmed, working around the clock. If thepany survived, it was in no small part thanks to Victoria. He knew her talent and determination, and that only made him more reluctant for her to step into the spotlight.


    Victoria was the perfect partner for any ambitious man—and as a woman, she possessed a beauty and elegance that captivated everyone who saw her.


    He vividly remembered the envious nces men cast her way when he took her out. After that, the name "Victoria" became almost taboo in his social life.


    He wanted to keep her all to himself, hidden away from the world.


    But now, Victoria was no longer someone he could control.