The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

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 Victoria'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 forgotten all about the dress herself.

And now-

"Mrs. Langford, we've already delivered the gown. You didn't receive it?"

Victoria frowned. She certainly hadn't.

"Where exactly did you send it?"

Winding Peak Lane. Mr. Langford's

hand slipped; the wine glass toppled, and

carpet, blossoming into a vivid stain-like the wound blooming in

Peak Lane. Midhill

McNeil's secret love nest.

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

treated her and their

"A man straying now and then is just how

and nobody could take that from

But now-

to his sweetheart, turned her daughter against her, and now even

just turn a blind

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

across the chaise lounge, eyes glazed but not entirely lost- mostly sober, but with just enough wine in her

caught the sharp scent of alcohol

three months ago, Victoria had been the picture of domestic grace- reserved, distant from the world, content to be Mrs. Langford. Then, out of

never seen her as the trophy

the last time Victoria had spiraled like this-lost and hollow-eyed-she'd nearly taken her

Langford—" Yasmine called