"What did you wish for just now?"


    Gwh answered without hesitation, "Of course, I wished that Mommy could be with me every day. And I also wished for a baby brother."


    McNeil frowned slightly, unsure where she''d gotten that idea, and gently ruffled her hair.


    "A baby brother? What for? So he can steal your toys?"


    Gwh stuck out her tongue and shook her head.


    "That''s what Violet told me! She said if she became my mommy, I''d get a baby brother to y with, and then I wouldn''t be lonely anymore. Now that I won''t be with Violet, I guess Mommy will give me a brother, right? That way, I''ll always have someone to y with."


    McNeil looked at her innocent little face and sighed, then leaned in to help her blow out the candles.


    They each had a slice of cake. Gwh happily devoured hers, and when she was done, McNeil asked Xenia to take her upstairs to get ready for bed. He himself went out to the driveway, got in his car, and headed for the hospital.


    By the time McNeil arrived, the emergency room light was still on. He waited more than two hours before the doctor finally came out.


    "How is she?" McNeil asked, already used to Violet showing up at the hospital every now and then.


    But tonight, with Victoria''s departure weighing on him, he was physically and emotionally drained.


    "She was brought in just in time. There''s no immediate danger, but she needs to rest. She can''t keep pushing herself like this."


    When Violet was moved to a private room, it didn''t take long before she woke, blinking in confusion. The moment she saw McNeil, tears she rarely allowed herself to shed began streaming down her face.


    McNeil''s brow furrowed.


    "You know, you don''t have to work yourself so hard. V&S Group doesn''t rest on your shoulders alone. You have an entire staff-you need to learn to rely on them."


    Violet sniffled and looked up at him, all her bottled-up hurt finally spilling over.


    "Is that what the doctor told you? That I shouldn''t overwork myself? But you know that work isn''t what''s making me sick.


    Today, Victoria showed up at Winding Peak Lane with an entire crew and told me to hand over the house. I already told you about it when I called earlier.


    She brought ten pounds of documents-evidence for everything. She made me go through every item in the house, had her people take away everything that could be moved, and then threw me out.


    I stood in the yard for five hours, just so I could help her check those things. I''ve always tried to get along with her, always stayed out of her way. Six years ago, she came between us, seduced you while I was overseas, and became Mrs. Langford. Even after returning, I never held it against her.


    So why does she keeping after me, always pushing, never letting go?"


    Violet''s tears came faster, her shoulders shaking. McNeil didn''t move tofort her, simply let her cry.


    Only when her sobs finally subsided did he speak.


    "She''s the legitimate Mrs. Langford. What you and I had, from our youthful romance to now, has turned into something more like family. Violet, I''m grateful for everything you''ve done for me, for saving my life. So I''ve tried to repay you, to make it up to you-haven''t you noticed?"


    Violet stared at him, stunned. She''d always believed McNeil''s feelings for her were love, unchanged by the years. But after the humiliation she suffered from Victoria today, the only thing he offered her now was pensation."


    She looked at him, frightened, her head moving slowly from side to side.


    "No, McNeil. I know you love me. You''ve always taken care of me, given me anything I wanted-that''s what love is. What we had was young love, and as adults we supported each other through everything. I''ve managed your business, stood by your side, done everything for you. We''re meant to be together, and if not for Victoria, we would never have split up."


    She reached out, grabbing for McNeil''s hand, but he gently took her hand and tucked it back under the covers.


    "That''s enough. You''re not well-don''t overthink things. Just rest. The nurse will take care of you, and I''lle see you tomorrow."


    Violet hadn''t expected that—she stared after him, not yet ready to give up.


    "I''ll wait for you. And I haven''t seen Gwyn in so long. Bring her by tomorrow, please? Though I look terrible now-she might be scared to see me like this." McNeil said nothing. When she finished speaking, he quietly left.


    As she watched him go, colder than ever before, Violet was seized by panic. She couldn''t just sit and wait anymore-she had to take action.


    Now that McNeil and Victoria were heading for divorce court, she knew what she had to do. She''d go straight to the patriarch of the Langford family. Years ago, he broke her and McNeil apart because she couldn''t have children. But now, after years of recovery, she was ready. She''d tell him herself: she could give the Langfords an heir.


    McNeil''s reaction tonight had to be because of that. He always listened to the old man. If the patriarch approved their marriage, McNeil woulde back to her. He would never choose Victoria.


    She had to act fast. She had to make sure the divorce happened. She would be the rightful Mrs. Langford atst—and never suffer Victoria''s bullying again.