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?"

Midhill Manor, Winding Peak Lane. Mr. Langford's

glass toppled, and a splash

into a vivid stain-like the wound blooming in her

Lane.

McNeil's secret love nest.

But she'd always followed the advice of the old

her and their child well, there was no point obsessing over

it off: "A man straying

and nobody could take that

But now-

against her, and now even the wedding dress for their anniversary had ended up

she couldn't just turn a blind

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

across the chaise lounge, eyes glazed but not entirely lost- mostly

sharp scent of

reserved, distant from the world, content to be Mrs. Langford. Then, out of nowhere, she'd hired a female

as the trophy wife the

spiraled like this-lost and hollow-eyed-she'd nearly taken her

Yasmine

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255