"Yes, so whatever you want, I''ll give it to you."


    McNeil''s words were so blunt, Victoria almostughed out of sheer frustration.


    "Whatever I want, you''ll give it to me? No, you''ve got it wrong. After all these years of marriage, everything you have-half of it is mine. That''s what I deserve, not some generous handout from you, Mr. Langford. I''m not begging, and you''re not doing me a favor."


    As Victoria''s anger red, a dull pain twisted in her stomach. She forced herself to ignore it, not wanting McNeil to notice anything out of the ordinary.


    If he found out she was pregnant now, even getting a divorce would be a problem -thew didn''t allow a woman to file while expecting. She didn''t want moreplications; she just wanted a clean break, to finish the paperwork and walk away with no regrets.


    "Say whatever you like," McNeil replied, his tone t. "Whatever it is you want, I''ll give it to you."


    That actually surprised Victoria. She''d assumed he was stalling, plotting somest-ditch effort to drag her into a messy battle.


    But when McNeil finally spoke, his words caught herpletely off guard.


    She stared at him for a long, silent half-minute, unable to look away.


    In her experience, McNeil wasn''t the forgiving type. He was cunning and suspicious, ruthless when he needed to be. Without that edge, even ten Victorias couldn''t have helped him survive the brutal world of business.


    She''d given him advice and resources, stood behind him as his unwavering support. But in the end, he was always the one on the front lines, fighting the battles himself.


    Through sleepless nights, cutthroat deals, and the kind of stress that left ulcers and scars, they''d both been through hell together.


    Now, McNeil''s eyes were cold as they met hers. He curled his lips into a bitter, mocking smile.


    "Six years married, and you still don''t know me at all. Do you really think I''m going to turn this into a public spectacle? We have a daughter together, Victoria. Even if we''re not husband and wife anymore, we''ll always be family. Do you really want to push this to divorce and leave Gwh without aplete home?"


    Only then did Victoria realize-McNeil was trying to win her back. But it was far toote; she''d stopped believing in him a long time ago.


    "As long as you''re with Violet, Gwh will still have a plete'' home, won''t she? Wasn''t that your n all along? Let me carry Gwh to term and then hand her over to Violet-since she couldn''t have children at first."


    Victoria''s voice was calm, but her eyes were steely. "Well, Mr. Langford, here''s some good news for you-Kelvin says Violet''s health has recovered, and she can have children now. So you don''t have to worry about being childless anymore." She lifted her ss, the corners of her mouth tugging up in a wry, almost mocking smile. "Today''s Gwh''s birthday, so let me congratte you. Now that you''re free from the wife you never loved, you and your true love can finally live your perfect, fairytale life together. I''m giving you exactly what you wanted, so why can''t you let me go?"


    With every word, McNeil''s heart twisted a little tighter. By the time she finished, his hands were clenched so hard his knuckles had turned white.


    He never imagined Victoria would see things this way.


    "Gwh isn''t—” He started, but she cut him off, her patience long gone.


    "It doesn''t matter anymore. I don''t care about your exnations. The only reason I came back tonight was for Gwh''s birthday—and to let you know: the court will reconvene for a second hearing soon. Even if you refuse to show up, this marriage is over."


    She tipped back her ss, draining thest swallow of wine, then picked up her purse from the table.


    "I won''t be staying for the cake. Invite whoever you want to celebrate with Gwh. And please, pass along my message-tell him his mom wishes him a happy birthday. I won''t be around anymore. If Gwh ever needs me, you know how to reach me."


    Victoria''s mind was made up. McNeil could see it in the way she stood, in the finality of her voice-there was no turning back.


    He watched her walk away, and in his mind, it was just like six years ago-a vision of her in a white dress, bouquet in hand, walking down the aisle toward him.


    The same determination. The same resolve. Not a hint of regret.


    McNeil''s breath caught in his chest, his knuckles bone-white. He couldn''t seem to breathe.


    Halfway to the door, Victoria turned around.


    "Mr. Langford, from here on out, let''s keep our lives separate."


    He remembered that day-the wedding. Victoria standing before him in her gown,


    eyes shining with quiet hope as the priest finished the vows.


    She''d looked at him and whispered, "Mr. Langford, here''s to the rest of our lives together."


    Now, hearing those same words twisted into a farewell, McNeil finally felt his eyes start to burn.