The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

Chapter 22

"I'm Victoria's husband."

Osborn's expression faltered for a split second before a sly, almost mocking smile tugged at his lips as he shook McNeil's hand.

The handshake was firm-too firm. Both men could feel the unspoken hostility in the pressure of each other's grip.

"Osborn. Vicky's—” he paused, gaze flicking to Victoria, "old friend from university."

Osborn didn't bother hiding the way he sized McNeil up, his look openly challenging, bordering on provocative.

"So you're the mysterious husband Vicky's been hiding all this time? Did you two really get married, or is that just another smoke screen you cooked up, Vicky?"

Victoria lowered her gaze, the shadow of a bitter smile twisting her lips. Of course. Everyone her friends, her family-all knew about her so-called "secret" marriage.

But in McNeil's world, no one really knew Victoria at all.

"Secret marriage? That's not quite right," McNeil replied, utterly unruffled. He laced his fingers with Victoria's, as if making a statement for all to see. Victoria tried to pull away, almost recoiling from his touch, but his grip was unyielding. With Osborn right there, she didn't want to make a scene, so she let him hold on.

side. Our marriage is ready to be public, whenever she

voice-just blunt honesty, especially with

man; he could read the

Victoria had never

again, she'd never mentioned anyone else in his presence. In six years of marriage, their

at Victoria, his voice unexpectedly gentle, a husband doting on his wife. “Have you eaten? It's cold here in Echo City.

of McNeil's performance, let out a faint, derisive chuckle but held

"Vicky-"

cut him off, making it clear she didn't

had flown all this way to find

six years of marriage, she knew: McNeil never gave up until he

her straight to his car. He pushed her into the back seat, closed the windows,

only light in the car the faint orange glow from a streetlamp outside. She could see the wild glint in his eyes-

"Victoria, you're something else."

might have gone. He'd even visited the Miller family, all in

so close she could hear