McNeil watched as Victoria walked away. He sat there for a long time, so lost in thought that he didn''t even notice when Xenia came to find him.


    "Sir..."


    Xenia had no idea what was wrong. Just a short while ago, Mrs. Langford had been downstairs, having dinner with Mr. Langford and Miss Gwh. Then, suddenly, Mrs. Langford''s car was gone, and Mr. Langford was left sitting alone, staring into space.


    The expression on his face was something Xenia had never seen before, not since she started working for the Langford family.


    It was a sadness too deep for words, resting quietly on his features, impossible to hide.


    McNeil hadn''t been sitting much longer when the phone rang—an urgent call from the hospital.


    "Is this Mr. Langford? Ms. Marchand has been admitted, and her situation is critical. She''s in surgery right now. If you''re able, pleasee to the hospital as soon as possible."


    He was still numb from Victoria''s departure. Even the news that Violet was in the hospital didn''t stir his expression.


    "I''ll be there right away."


    After hanging up, he sat quietly for another ten minutes, then rose and headed upstairs.


    Gwh was in her room, absorbed in her video game,pletely unaware that McNeil had entered.


    He knelt in front of her and gently ruffled her hair. Only then did Gwh look up and notice him.


    "Is it time for cake?" she asked eagerly. "I thought we were waiting until midnight to blow out the candles."


    McNeil looked at her, taking in her bright eyes-so much like Victoria''s. The way she spoke, her gestures, everything about her was a reflection of her mother.


    She was Victoria''s little mirror image, and McNeil had always doted on her for that reason.


    If there was one thing about Victoria that ever truly frustrated him, it was her strictness with Gwh. He only ever wanted to see their daughter happy.


    That''s why he so often took Gwh to visit Violet-she always seemed to light up around her.


    But he''d never imagined that, when Victoria left today, she''d use him of orchestrating Gwh''s birth, or of nning to send their daughter to Violet.


    "It''s not quite time yet," McNeil said, his voice gentle. "But I want to blow out the candles with you now, because I need to step out for a while."


    At the mention of cake and candles, Gwh eagerly set down her game.


    "Okay! But I want Mom to make a wish with me. Violet told me that when two girls make a wish together, it''s more likely toe true. And it has to be two girls! Are you and Mom going somewhere? Can Ie too?"


    Hearing her call for her mother made McNeil''s heart ache all over again.


    He looked at his innocent little girl and said softly, "No, sweetheart. And... Mom might not be able to join you for the candles this time. She had to leave early."


    Gwh stared at him in shock. The idea that her mother could just leave-on her birthday, of all days-was unthinkable. Even when there was nothing special happening, Mom was always there.


    Her face crumpled with disappointment as she gazed up at McNeil, eyes wide and pleading.


    "What about Violet, then? She''s always so busy. Can you ask her toe for my birthday?"


    McNeil''s dark eyes clouded. He looked at his daughter, his voice steady.


    "What if I told you that from now on, you won''t be seeing Violet anymore? How would you feel about that?"


    Gwh''s eyes grew even rounder. She shook her head, puzzled.


    "But why not? Is it because Mom doesn''t like it? She''s always so petty about Violet. Whenever we''re with her, Mom would get all upset. Buttely, she barely seems to care. Why can''t I see Violet anymore?"


    McNeil had no answer for her earnest questioning.


    "I mean, if—just if you couldn''t see Violet anymore, what would you do?"


    He regretted ever letting Gwh get so close to Violet. He wondered, if Violet was suddenly out of her life, would his daughter be heartbroken?


    But Gwh just tilted her head, thinking it over.


    "If I can''t see Violet, does that mean Mom will stay home with me every day? If she will, then... I guess it''s okay."


    Her nonchnt attitude left McNeil torn between relief and helplessughter.


    "Max always says Violet isn''t good for me, that Mom is the best. Sometimes Max says weird things, but I don''t think he''d lie. Andtely, Violet doesn''t seem to like me much either. Every time I try to visit, she won''t let me."


    Truth was, Gwh had already been hurt by Violet''s distance. She still longed to see Violet, not because she was happy with her, but because she''d grown so used to that closeness-it was like a habit she couldn''t shake.


    "Alright, if you''re sure you''re okay with not seeing Violet anymore, I promise Mom will be here with you every day. But you have to promise to listen to Dad, okay?"


    Gwh nodded enthusiastically. "Okay..."


    McNeil took her hand and led her downstairs for the candles.


    Victoria was missing, but Gwh, reassured by her father''s promise, wasn''t sad at all.


    When it came time to make a wish, Gwh closed her eyes tight, and after she finished, McNeil leaned in to ask her what she wished for.