Chapter 5
A fire crackled in the hearth, its warmth doing little to chase away the chill that had settled over the room
Victoria swirled the red wine in her glass, bringing it to her lips for the occasional sip, her gaze distant and unfocused.
Out in the hallway, Haley stealthily dialed Yasmine. “Yasmine, you need to come see Mrs. Langford. It’s barely dawn and she’s already. drinking
Two glasses in, the wine was cold on Victona’s tongue, but her heart felt even colder ||
She had just gotten off the phone with the bridal shop:/
The plan was simple: on their anniversary, the dress would be delivered in the morning. That evening, she’d wear it to the studio, where she and McNeil would have their portrait taken a keepsake for another year together
But then, a minor hitch: McNeil had bailed last minute, and she’d somehow
And now-
“Mrs. Langford, we’ve already delivered the gown. You didn’t receive it?”
Victoria frowned. She certainly hadn’t
forgotten a
all about the
e dress herself
“Where exactly
did
you send it?”
“To Midhill Manor, Winding Peak Lane. Mr. Langford’s instructions.”
Her hand slipped; the wine glass toppled, and a splash of crimson spread across the pristine carpet, blossoming into a vivid stain–like the wound blooming in her chest, raw and impossible to ignore.
Winding Peak Lane. Midhill Manor
McNeil’s secret love nest.
Violet had lived there for six years. McNeil probably thought Victoria had no idea.?
But she’d always followed the advice of the old folks “Before marriage, keep your eyes wide open. After mariage, turn a blind you must”
eye
when
She’d told herself, as long as McNeil treated her and their child well, there was no point obsessing over his flings.
Even her father–in–law had shrugged it off: “A man straying now and then is just how things are.”8
She was Mrs. Langford, and nobody could take that from her.
But now-
Merleil had given her mother’s keepsake to his sweetheart, turned her daughter against her, and now even the wedding dress for their anniversary had ended up in Violet’s hands.
This time, she couldn’t just turn a blind eye.l
When Yasmine followed Haley into the living room, she was greeted by the sight of three empty wine bottles at Victoria’s feet. The glass had rolled away, and the carpet was dotted with wine stains–an utter mess.
Victoria lay diaped across the chaise lounge, eyes glazed but not entirely lost–mostly sober, but with just enough wing in her to blur the odges.
Yasmine caught the sharp scent of alcohol as she approached
Just three months ago, Victoria had been the picture of domestic grace–reserved, distant from the world, content to be Mrs. Langford Then, out of nowhere, she’d tured a fermate secretary.
Yasmine had never seen
the trophy wife the tabloids made her out to b
But the last time Victona had spiraled like this–lost and hollow–eyed–she’d nearly taken her own
“Mrs Langford Yasmine called softly
Victoria looked up, the blanket around her shoulders slipping to the floor.
“You’re here. Good. Come with me somewhere, Victona said, brushing off Yasmine’s attempt to steady her S
Tm not drunk “il
She shrugged into a fur coat, her whole presence sharp and commanding a far cry from the woman who used to wait anxiously for McNeil to come home.
Midhill Manor was a long drive from the city
Yasmine drove for over an hour and a hall before they arrived
Set against the backdrop of hills and water, the estate was quiet and secluded–a perfect retreat, far from the city’s noise.l
The deeper they drove, the more familiar the place felt to Victoria.
She’d been here once, two years back, and had even considered moving the family out to this peaceful spot. McNeil had protested, claiming it was too far from work.
Yet Violet could live here just fine; McNeil somehow always found the time to visit her. Maybe distance had never been the real. issue–maybe he just didn’t care enough.
When the grand, three–story manor finally came into view, Victoria thought she must be seeing things
-She wasn’t alone–Yasmine, who’d hurried out of the car to open the door for her, looked just as shocked.
