The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

Chapter 573

Victoria arched an eyebrow. "So, you refuse?"

Hawthorne's lips curled into a faint smile. "It's not about refusing. Your brother is alive and well-you don't need me."

Thorpe cleared his throat loudly, a not-so-subtle reminder that he was still in the room. Was respect for elders not a thing anymore?

"Has anyone even bothered to ask what I think?"

The old man finally spoke. Instantly, all eyes turned to him.

Celia was the first to object. "Grandpa, Gwyn's barely in her twenties! How can you even think about marrying her off so soon? Didn't Mom say she wanted us together for a few more years?"

Chris chimed in, just as indignant. "It's not like we're struggling to make ends meet. What's the rush?"

And besides, this guy isn't even from Starfall. Chris had always looked down on men from outside their city, though he had to admit, Hawthorne's imposing presence was hard to ignore. There was something about him—a quiet intensity that reminded Chris, just a little, of their own father, even if he was stuck in a hospital bed and barely opened his eyes these days.

Gwyneth might as well have been invisible; no one even glanced her way, their conversation flowing right around her.

"Yeah, Gwyn said herself she wouldn't get married for at least ten years."

Celia's eyes glistened with tears. She'd waited so long for her big sister to come home. If Gwyn married and left, who knew when they'd see each other again?

"The whole point of this was to find Gwyn a good family if she ever wanted to come back. And now a good family has come knocking on our door, you all start getting picky." Thorpe's gaze lingered on Hawthorne, his approval growing by the second. He prided himself on reading people well, and this young man struck him as the quiet, thoughtful type.

with just the right touch of

one.

Gwyneth and Hawthorne

siblings argued on, voices

and took Gwyneth by the hand. "Didn't you say it was dinnertime? Looks like the food's ready.

Silence.

host's lead, but this was the first

Starfall. You'll have to show me around-tell

had noticed over the past few days that Gwyneth rarely touched meat, but she enjoyed

perfectly with his

in their debate, then,

placing them one

crept up Gwyneth's cheeks, and her stomach

eating a little too eagerly

"Gwyn!"

He'd just realized Gwyneth and Hawthorne had

to a halt. Thorpe announced, "Well, I'm hungry too.

seeing her father's

glanced apologetically at her

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