After a flight of several hundred miles, the young couple finallynded and were driven to the Langford family estate in Starfall City.


    Gwh had called Victoria Turner before they left, letting her know they were on their way. Victoria, along with Chris and Celia, was already waiting outside to greet them.


    When the ne''s cabin door opened and the stairs were lowered, Victoria saw Hawthorne emerge behind Gwh, and the knot of anxiety in her chest finally loosened. She was so relieved they had returned together. Her greatest fear had been seeing Gwh arrive alone, dragging her luggage, only to fall sobbing into her arms and dere she was done with Hawthorne for good.


    Victoria''s assistant, Maynard, provided her with daily reports on Gwh''s whereabouts and activities in Greenvale. All these years, Gwh had believed she was free from her family''s influence in Starfall City, but in reality, Victoria had secretly arranged for her protection, and every move she made was documented and ced on Victoria''s desk.


    No parent would feel at ease with their precious daughter navigating the world alone, especially not a family like the Langfords. Even Hawthorne''s proposal had only been approved after the family had thoroughly vetted his background, going back several generations. So, what seemed like a happy coincidence was, in fact, the result of deliberate nning.


    Victoria was aware of the friction between Gwh and Hawthorne, and she knew about his actions in Greenvale, but she wisely feigned ignorance. Upon seeing her daughter, she gave Hawthorne a brief, polite nod. “It''s good you''re back. Go see the patriarch first. He''s missed you both very much."


    It had been years since her divorce from McNeil, and though he had paid dearly for his mistakes, Victoria couldn''t help but feel a pang of.


    regret Onlyter did she retine


    that


    McNeil had genuinely wanted to repay a debt to Violet Marchand. She knew in her heart there had been no romantic involvement between them but as wife, she Couldn''t tolerate her husband showing concern for any other woman, even if it was just a matter of honor.


    Jealousy had clouded her judgment, and grief had consumed her.


    Victoria had been young then, too proud to endure such things. Her actions had ultimately led to her daughter''s pain and the shattering of their family, a responsibility she couldn''t escape. As a mother, she should have been a stronger anchor, preserving the harmony of their home and nurturing her children''s well-being, instead of getting lost in her own romantic dramas and ruining their happiness. It was a lesson she''d learned toote: if you cannot love, do not harm. If you are unwilling to raise a family, do not walk down the aisle.


    Only the young indulge in the fantasy of a world built for two. An adult has to shoulder the weight of many rtionships and emotional responsibilities, not just their own personal feelings. By the time Victoria understood this, the damage was done. The psychological wounds inflicted on Gwh were indelible, a pain she would carry for the rest of her life.


    Perhaps Hawthorne was her daughter''s salvation, but he was also a formidable obstacle she had to ovee. Victoria hoped her daughter would find the strength to grow on her own. She wouldn''t interfere in their rtionship, whatever the oue, it had to be their choice. All she could do was


    ache for her daughter while


    continuing to support them from the sidelines.


    At the mention of the patriarch, Gwh hurried inside, with Hawthorne following


    close behind.