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 your face, but your lips would always curl up at

own mouth and pulled them up into a goofy grin, making

wasn't that dramatic. I smiled

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

been for her mom, her great-grandfather, and her great-aunt loving her so much—if Chris and Celia

it felt like the only thing keeping her going was the hope that, one day, her dad would wake up, reunite with her mom, and Chris and Celia would finally have their father

I'm not like that

still tangled up together, laughing,

got you two

ended up half sprawled across her. She looked up to see a tall

suit jacket draped over one arm. His straight nose was framed by

in surprise as she turned to Hawthorne. "Uncle, is that really