NovelUpdateChapter 83 "We're family-there's no need for thanks." Stein sat down beside her, his presence reassuring.
"I bought this place, you know. It's yours whenever you need it." Victoria's eyes shimmered with tears.
"Stein-" she whispered.
He reached out, ruffling her hair with gentle affection, the way you'd comfort a child.
After a moment of silence, he made up his mind to tell her the truth.
"When you were taken, McNeil showed up. He wanted to take you away, but I wouldn't let him." The tears faded from Victoria's eyes, replaced by a cold, distant look.
Stein sighed inwardly. Matters of the heart were never simple.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHe still remembered the way Victoria had once been determined-almost desperate to marry McNeil, no matter what anyone said. And over the years, everyone close to the family knew just how much she'd endured.
It didn't help that McNeil's nwas constantly tangled up in tabloid rumors with other women. The gossip columns made sure there was no ignoring it.
"I'm not going back to the Langford family," Victoria said quietly.
She couldn't forget how, after Violet's return, McNeil had grown cold, indifferent- how he'd blamed her for things she never did, for no reason at all.
She'd loved him for so many years, but she was tired now. It was tto let go.
"No matter what you decide, you have my support," Stein said.
He was always on her side. That meant the world to Victoria.
At least she wasn't alone.
As soon as she was able to move her hand a little, Victoria reached out to Ailie.
When Ailie answered the phone, she nearly burst into tears.
"Where have you been all this time? I was about to put out a missing person's report! I almost called McNeil to see if he knew anything." Ailie had been terrified that something awful had happened.
Victoria didn't want her to worry, so she made up a simple excuse.
"I had to travel for something personal. I'm sorry I made you all worry." She hesitated, biting her lip. "If Mr. Garcia is upset withfor disappearing like that, I'll understand if he wants to letgo." Ailie let out a tearful laugh. "Don't be ridiculous. He'd never fire you.
Honestly, he's been like a ghost sinç@you left. As soon as you're back, call me. I'll cpick you up." "Alright." Victoria chatted with Ailie a little longer, but she was already feeling exhausted.
Her mind wandered to a few other people-Max and Marcus.
She hadn't heard anything about them since that car accident. She wondered if they were alright.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmJust as she picked up her phone to call Marcus, it buzzed with a call from Gwyneth.
Victoria frowned slightly. There were several missed calls from her daughter; it had been a long tsince they'd really talked. Wel Syneth calling so often now? was She dialed back, and Gwyneth's voice was soft and a little sulky.
"Mom, where are you? When are you coming home?"
Victoria's voice was weak. "I have sthings to take care of, o m sweetheart might not be able to chfor a while."
She had no idea how long her recovery would take and honestly, she couldn't face going back to McNeil's house. "But Mom, you promised you'd find that gfor me. If you're not here, I can't play it."
At first, Victoria thought maybe McNeil had put Gwyneth up to calling her, but it turned out her little girl was just missing her promised game.
Victoria smiled faintly. "I'll keep my promise, honey. I just need a little time, okay?" She clutched the phone, listening to the disappointment in Gwyneth's voice.
"How much longer? The games here are boring now." No matter how Violet tried to entertain her, nothing interested Gwyneth anymore.
She was just waiting for her mom to keep her word.
"Soon," Victoria promised.
She didn't have the energy for a long conversation.
"Gwyn, I have to take care of something right now. Let's talk later, okay? Wait for me." Without waiting for Gwyneth's reply, Victoria ended the call.
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