The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

Chapter 261

Violet's expression faltered for a split second. McNeil called Winding Peak Lane "another place," but she'd always assumed he already thought of her house as home.

She kept her thoughts to herself, though. She figured maybe McNeil just couldn't handle Gwyneth on his own; if she offered to help, maybe he'd finally agree. But to her surprise, he still turned her down.

Violet had also wondered if McNeil might let Victoria come back. After all, Gwyneth had spent the entire night searching for Victoria, and even if it was exhausting, Violet couldn't ignore it.

But on second thought, that seemed unlikely. She'd seen Victoria at the town square the day before, together with Marcus. The way she looked at Max-could Victoria really be thinking about choosing Marcus?

"Well, if you need anything, just let me know," Violet said, her tone effortlessly warm. "You know how much I care about Gwyn. Without her here, I just feel off. I can't stop worrying and hoping she's alright."

"I know."

McNeil's response was curt, and he hung up almost immediately. Violet was left staring at her phone, unsure what to think.

Upstairs, Victoria had already fallen asleep, curled up with Gwyneth in her arms.

Gwyneth nestled against her mother, a peaceful smile lingering on her face. When McNeil came up, he found the two of them sleeping, wrapped up together. He quietly closed the door, switching off the light as he left.

house fell instantly into

slowly opening her eyes-only to find herself pressed up against a

and for a moment she was

could hear McNeil's slow, steady breathing. Beside her, Gwyneth

realized she was sandwiched between father and daughter, pinned in place like the cream in a cookie, barely daring to

in a rush-last night, she'd taken her daughter back to her room, but Gwyneth had clung to her neck and refused to let go.

had no idea when McNeil had slipped in and joined

McNeil had held her as they slept. As she shifted, McNeil only pulled

"McNeil, let me go-"

to wriggle free, suddenly self-conscious. They were in the middle of a divorce—wasn't this

drew her closer and

a child. Victoria felt tears prick at her eyes, but with

she lay there, letting the two of them hold her, even as

wake.

sat up, then spotted her dad, still wrapped around her mom, her face confused. "Daddy, why are you in my