The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

The concert lasted three hours, but the two of them spent two and a half eating hotpot, then another half hour sipping tea and nibbling on fruit.

It was Gwyneth Langford's first concert, but she hardly heard a note. By the time her stomach was satisfyingly full and she was finally ready to pay attention, the musicians on stage were already bowing, signaling the end.

"Let's go."

Hawthorne Everhart took Gwyneth's hand, leading her out as she stared at him in confusion. "It's over already?"

He nodded. "We'll leave through a different exit. The car's waiting outside."

By the time they left the concert hall, night had fallen, and a cold rain drizzled from the sky. Hawthorne shielded Gwyneth from the downpour, keeping her tucked safely under his arm as they hurried to the car.

Even after settling into the backseat, Gwyneth still felt a pang of regret. She'd been looking forward to this concert for ages, and this certainly wasn't how she'd imagined it. Especially since several of the pieces performed tonight were classic themes from the cartoons of her childhood-music that defined a generation. As the old composers slowly faded from the public stage, each event like this became more precious, another chance slipping away forever.

"Here "

Hawthorne sat beside her in the back, while his assistant drove.

"What's this?" she asked, taking the package from him. It was stiff and heavy, wrapped in thick cardboard.

"These are recordings of tonight's classic pieces. I had someone press them onto vinyl for you."

Gwyneth hadn't expected anything like this. Her eyes filled with tears.

The car flowed through a sea of city lights, like a fish joining the current on the main road. Hawthorne reached over, gently brushing away her tears.

"You're so easily moved. Good thing I married you first."

Otherwise, would any simple gesture from another man have her in tears, he wondered.

Gwyneth hugged the record to her chest, her eyes shining with memories and affection for a youth already slipping away.

the

had breakfast ready. They ate together, and he announced he'd take

get the wrong idea. "It's better if

home, which would

become someone with nothing

stubborn pout on her lips, but he didn't press her. Instead, he tapped her nose playfully. "Fine. There are cars in the

the mention of cars, though

race cars. Just the thought of driving made her heart

The last time she'd driven him

passenger in Hawthorne's car never gave her the

how much she was looking forward to it, Gwyneth nodded as if she only wanted to pass the time before

the garage, Gwyneth's eyes fell instantly on the red Ferrari. Her blood

a sidelong glance. "Ma'am, would you

have a license," she replied, already

nothing more. Before she

Uncle

Leonie, who usually seemed terrified

Gwyneth figured she must

"He's gone," she answered.

Leonie groaned on the

"What's wrong?"

to the theater for rehearsal. My brother ditched me

to catch a ride

looking for a lift. Gwyneth stifled

get you," she

was a pause. "You?

me take a car. Wait for me

tree-lined avenues for the first time, letting the wind whip through the open window. The morning air was tinged