BookToReadChapter 383 "Yes, so whatever you want, I'll give it to you." McNeil's words were so blunt, Victoria almost laughed out of sheer frustration.
"Whatever I want, you'll give it to me? No, you've got it wrong. After all these years of marriage, everything you have-half of it is mine. That's what I deserve, not sgenerous handout from you, Mr. Langford. I'm not begging, and you're not doinga favor." As Victoria's anger flared, a dull pain twisted in her stomach. She forced herself to ignore it, not wanting McNeil to notice anything out of the ordinary.
If he found out she was pregnant now, even getting a divorce would be a problem -the law didn't allow a woman to file while expecting. She didn't want more complications; she just wanted a clean break, to finish the paperwork and walk away with no regrets.
"Say whatever you like," McNeil replied, his tone flat. "Whatever it is you want, I'll give it to you." That actually surprised Victoria. She'd assumed he was stalling, plotting slast-ditch effort to drag her into a messy battle.
But when McNeil finally spoke, his words caught her completely off guard.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtShe stared at him for a long, silent half-minute, unable to look away.
In her experience, McNeil wasn't the forgiving type. He was cunning and suspicious, ruthless when he needed to be. Without that edge, even ten Victorias couldn't have helped him survive the brutal world of business.
She'd given him advice and resources, stood behind him as his unwavering support. But in the end, he was always the one on the front lines, fighting the battles himself.
Through sleepless nights, cutthroat deals, and the kind of stress that left ulcers and scars, they'd both been through hell together.
Now, McNeil's eyes were cold as they met hers. He curled his lips into a bitter, mocking smile.
"Six years married, and you still don't knowat all. Do you really think I'm going to turn this into a public spectacle? We have a daughter together, Victoria. Even if we're not husband and wife anymore, we'll always be family. Do you really want to push this to divorce and leave Gwyneth without a complete home?" Only then did Victoria realize-McNeil was trying to win her back. But it was far too late; she'd stopped believing in him a long tago.
"As long as you're with Violet, Gwyneth will still have a 'complete' home, won't she? Wasn't that your plan all along? Letcarry Gwyneth to term and then hand her over to Violet-since she couldn't have children at first." Victoria's voice was calm, but her eyes were steely. "Well, Mr. Langford, here's sgood news for you-Kelvin says Violet's health has recovered, and she can have children now. So you don't have to worry about being childless anymore." She lifted her glass, the corners of her mouth tugging up in a wry, almost mocking smile. "Today's Gwyneth's birthday, so letcongratulate you. Now that you're free from the wife you never loved, you and your true love can finally live your perfect, fairytale life together. I'm giving you exactly what you wanted, so why can't you letgo?" With every word, McNeil's heart twisted a little tighter. By the tshe finished, his hands were clenched so hard his knuckles had turned white.
He never imagined Victoria would see things this way.
"Gwyneth isn't-" He started, but she cut him off, her patience long gone.
"It doesn't matter anymore. I don't care about your explanations. The only reason I cback tonight was for Gwyneth's birthday—and to let you know: the court will reconvene for a second hearing soon. Even if you refuse to show up, this marriage is over." She tipped back her glass, draining the last swallow of wine, then picked up her purse from the table.
"I won't be staying for the cake. Invite whoever you want to celebrate with Gwyneth. And please, pass along my message-tell him his mom wishes him a happy birthday. I won't be around anymore. If Gwyneth ever needs me, you know how to reach me." Victoria's mind was made up. McNeil could see it in the way she stood, in the finality of her voice-there was no turning back.
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He watched her walk away, and in his mind, it was just like six years agora vision of her in a white dress, bouquet in hand, walking down the aisle toward him. The sdetermination. The sresolve. Not a hint of regret.
McNeil's breath caught in his chest, his knuckles bone-white. He couldn't seem to breathe.
Halfway to the door, Victoria turned around.
"Mr. Langford, from here on out, let's keep our lives separate." He remembered that day-the wedding. Victoria standing before him in her gown, eyes shining with quiet hope as the priest finished the vows.
She'd looked at him and whispered, "Mr. Langford, here's to the rest of our lives together."
Now, hearing those swords twisted into a farewell McNefinally felt his eyes start to burn.
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