Gwh could hardly contain her excitement after getting McNeil''s permission. "Mommy, Daddy said I can stay here!"


    She was still holding the phone, McNeil''s call hadn''t ended yet.


    "Alright," Victoria replied, her voice t. McNeil stayed on the line, listening, until the call finally ended.


    Seated in the helicopter, he felt as if he''d turned to stone.


    If Victoria had refused to keep Gwh, and Gwh had begged and cried, at least he''d have an excuse to argue with Victoria—maybe even plead his case. But Victoria had be as emotionless as a machine, agreeing to whatever he decided, no matter what it was.


    McNeil pressed a hand to his chest, forcing down the bitter taste rising in his throat.


    The bodyguard looked on, unsure what to do. Once McNeil had regained hisposure, he spoke coolly: "Let''s go."


    The helicopternded on the rooftop of the Starfall City vi, just as a violent storm had swept past during the night. He''d narrowly avoided the worst of it, but the moment he stepped out of the aircraft, sheets of rain began to pour.


    By the time he entered the vi, he was drenched. Xenia, the housekeeper, was surprised to see him.


    "Sir, let me make you some ginger tea to warm you up," she offered immediately.


    It was the dead of winter, and McNeil looked like a drowned ghost. He gave a faint nod and copsed onto the sofa, every movement mechanical, as if he were just going through the motions. He didn''t even seem to realize he should go upstairs, shower, and change out of his wet clothes.


    Xenia returned with the ginger tea, only to find him still sitting there-soaked through, unmoving. She set the tea down quietly, not daring to press him.


    He''d left on such good terms with Miss Gwh, apparently heading out to find Mrs. Langford. Xenia had thought the couple was finally reconciling, maybe even nning to settle down in Evermore City. But to her shock, McNeil had returned alone, with no sign of Gwh.


    Xenia immediately sensed something was terribly wrong.


    McNeil stared at the steaming tea without touching it. The vi was silent-until a furious pounding erupted at the front door, someone shouting his name.


    "McNeil! Are you home or not? Come out and see me!"


    He blinked, disoriented, half-convinced he was hearing things.


    Xenia had heard it too. She frowned but made no move to answer.


    But the knocking only grew louder, more insistent, the voice outside rising in desperation.


    "What on earth is going on?" McNeil''s voice was sharp. "Who dares make a scene at my house?"


    Xenia hesitated, not sure what to do. McNeil''s expression was dark, clearly expecting an answer.


    "It''s Miss Violet. She''s been here several times."


    When McNeil finally rose, Xenia''s heart lodged in her throat. Was Mr. Langford


    really going to see that woman again?


    "Let her in," he said atst.


    Some things, he realized, he needed to settle himself.


    Violet finally heard Xenia call her in. When she saw McNeil, her face was aplicated mess of emotions.


    "You''re back."


    She''d been standing out in the pouring rain for over two hours. As she entered the living room, she was shivering uncontrobly, lips nearly blue with cold.


    McNeil regarded her with a distant, unrecognizing gaze, as if she were a stranger. The look chilled Violet more than the rain.


    "McNeil... I''m your wife... Why did you leave me without a word? Do you have any idea how long I''ve waited for you?"


    He looked at her, and for the first time, something flickered in his eyes.


    "You''re not my wife."


    He stood, water still dripping from his own clothes. There was a sharp, bitter glint in Violet''s eyes.


    "But we had a wedding! Everyone in Starfall City saw it. We''re married in every way that matters."


    For the first time, McNeil let out a coldugh in front of Violet.


    "I''ve fulfilled every promise to you, even repaid your kindness. If you keep using that so-called wedding to ckmail me, you should know I won''t be merciful."


    Violet was stunned. "Must you do this? You and Victoria are divorced now. Why can''t we be together? Everything you did before-wasn''t it because you wanted me?"


    McNeil ignored her. He pulled out his phone and dialed Maynard.


    "Bring all the files you found to the vi. Now."


    Violet had no idea who he was calling.


    When Maynard arrived, McNeil had already changed into dry clothes and was sitting on the sofa, smoking a cigarette with an air of calm detachment.


    Maynard nced briefly at Violet before crossing the room to McNeil. "Mr. Langford."


    Without a word, McNeil tossed a folder onto the table in front of Violet.


    "Exin to me—what''s this about your supposed stomach cancer? I remember at


    the wedding you told me you had three months left to live."


    It had been over half a year now, and Violet was not only alive but looked


    healthier than ever.


    She hade here clinging to hope-banking on the fact that McNeil had never pressed too hard about her stories, believing that his apparent indifference meant he cared for her. That belief had made her ever more reckless with her lies.