Chapter 24
y the day!
Gwyneth couldn’t stand Victoria. Her father hadn’t come home, and Violet was still sick–barely eating, growing thinner by
“I care about your mom because she’s your mom, Gwyn. And I really like you too, you know that, don’t you? If only I could have had a child of my own… I wish you were my daughter
Violet’s soft gaze lingered on Gwyneth as she held the girl’s small hand. Gwyneth’s heart fluttered, and she almost blurted out, “I wish I were your daughter, too.
But she caught herself just in time–she still had her real mom. She hesitated, biting back the words.
After all, her mom didn’t like Violet. Someday, she’d have to go home. If her mom ever found out that Gwyneth wished Violet could be her mother too, she might never let her see Violet again.
“Look, Gwyn, I’ve kept every picture you’ve ever drawn for me.”
Violet carefully placed one of Gwyneth’s drawings by her bedside, her eyes shimmering with tears.
Gwyneth leaned in and whispered, “Violet, I really like you too-”
She pressed her lips close to Violet’s ear and whispered something just for her. Whatever she said, it made Violet’s smile brighten with pure happiness.
T
Evermore City
McNeil set his phone down and fixed his gaze on Victoria.
“I booked a flight for tomorrow moming. I’m leaving first thing.
He reached out, his fingers tracing the familiar, silky curve of her cheek.
They’d been apart so long. Now, seeing her again, the longing he’d suppressed came rushing back, almost overwhelming him. If they hadn’t been sitting in a car on a city street, he’d have already lost control.
Victoria was silent, thinking.!
“Where’s Gwyn now?” she asked.
McNeil’s silence was answer enough.
an instant.!!
The softness in Victoria’s eyes hardened in an
“You don’t need me, McNeil“}
She reached for the door handle, but he caught her, pulling her firmly back into his arms. She tried to struggle, but he was already unable to restrain himself, his hands slipping to her shirt.
Victoria gave a cold, bitter laugh.
“Violet’s sick and can’t keep up p with y
just to make a fool of yourself.“).
you, and I’m sure there are plenty of other women in this city. You didn’t have to fly all the way here
Every time they met, it was always the same–this raw, hungry desire.
Victoria couldn’t help but wonder what was really wrong with Violet. Her surgery had only just happened. Had she never satisfied him? Was that why, the moment they were alone, McNeil acted like a starving wolf, desperate to devour her whole?
“So for that man, you’re just going to abandon your daughter? McNeil’s eyes were wild, his anger barely contained.
No matter how mad she was, Victoria would never abandon her child
She slapped him, hard, the crack echoing through the darkness of the car.
who
“Do you not understand plain English, McNed? I am not some tool for you to use. Don’t bring up our daughter you’re the one wh handed her over to Violet. So stop pretending to care just to get me back ”
She couldn’t take it anymore. What did he wont from her what would make him finally let go?
“Dhve, she spati
He locked the doors with a click and climbed into the driver’s seat K
Victoria tried the handle, but it wouldn’t budge. She had no idea where he was taking her
Both of them sat in silence, tense and brooding, as McNeil floored the accelerator. The car sped through the city, finally screeching too halt outside a luxury hotel.
“Get out,” he ordered gruffly, yanking open the back door
Victoria stared at him, unmoving f
“What do you want from me?”
McNeil’s face was hard as stone, his voice like ice.
