The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

Mr. Green always seemed so gentle and pleasant around her and her mom-just like Dad used to be with her.

But after more than a decade, everyone's lives and minds had changed in ways no one could've predicted.

"You know, the first time I met you, you gave off the same vibe-cold, distant, like you didn't care about anything. I barely ever heard you talk. But after you married my uncle, you were different."

Leonie wracked her brain, remembering how Gwyneth had once reminded her of that Connor guy, and Marcus too. No wonder they'd always seemed like old friends-birds of a feather, really.

Gwyneth, for once letting her guard down, touched her own cheek and tried to look innocent. "What's so different about me?"

She truly didn't think she'd changed at all. But if anyone could call her out, it was definitely Leonie.

"Seriously, you didn't notice? Or did nobody around you ever tell you? When I first got to know you, you were so distant. If I asked you five questions, you'd maybe answer one. You rationed your words like they were gold. Just like my uncle, honestly.

once you two got together, I actually saw you smile. Sometimes you'd get this thoughtful look on

them up into a goofy grin, making crazy faces at Gwyneth until she burst

on, it wasn't that dramatic. I smiled before too,

more Gwyneth thought about it, the more she realized Leonie might not be wrong. She'd been the reason her family fell apart, the reason her parents divorced, the reason her father ended up in a

much—if Chris and Celia hadn't always clung to her as their big

day, her dad would wake up, reunite with her mom, and Chris and Celia would finally

not like

still tangled up together, laughing, when a calm, deep voice came from the

you two

sprawled across her. She looked

draped over one arm. His straight nose was framed by a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. giving him a scholarly air that softened the sharp, severe

eyes widened in surprise as she turned to Hawthorne. "Uncle, is