Chapter 34
It was never like this with Violet. Whenever Gwyneth wanted something, all she had to do was tell Violet, who would either ask Daddy for it or simply buy it for her herself.
But here with Mommy, there were too many rules. Gwyneth just wanted to have
fun.
She clutched her phone, thinking Victoria hadn’t noticed, and slipped away to a quiet corner to whisper with McNeil.
“Daddy, are you still at Violet’s place?”
Hearing his daughter’s voice, McNeil’s irritation with Victoria softened a little. He answered gently, “Yes, I am.”
“Can I come over too?”
But McNeil didn’t agree. “Violet’s not feeling well. You should stay home with your mom. I’ll come back once I’ve made sure Violet is settled.”
Gwyneth pouted, unhappy about being left out. McNeil hurriedly reminded her to listen to Victoria at home and then ended the call.
“Gwyn, what did Daddy say?” Victoria noticed that her daughter’s face had scrunched up in disappointment. Was McNeil really not letting Gwyneth go to Violet’s?
“It’s nothing, Mommy. Am I supposed to go to preschool tomorrow?”
Daddy wouldn’t even let her finish before hanging up. Clearly, her plan had failed. Victoria frowned slightly. “You haven’t been going to school lately?”
Was Gwyneth really so young that she’d just been staying with Violet this whole time, without anyone taking her to class?
“Violet’s sick, and Daddy doesn’t have time to drop me off. I’ve had a month off. Can I please stay home tomorrow too?”
The idea of going to school filled her with dread-playing was so much more fun.
“No, honey. You’re old enough to go to class. You need to go.”
McNeil might be busy, but surely someone else in the family could take Gwyneth to school.
Gwyneth’s face fell; she knew what the answer would be.
“Oh.”
She trudged back to her room, her spirits low. Victoria understood her disappointment, but as a mother, she couldn’t let Gwyneth get her way every time. If a child didn’t learn discipline or go to school regularly, she’d soon be asking to skip more and more, and before long, she’d resent school altogether.
Even if the Langford family had enough wealth to last generations, their children’s education couldn’t just be neglected.
Gwyneth stormed into her room and slammed the door behind her.
Victoria lingered outside for a while before gently knocking.
But Gwyneth, upset, refused to answer.
“Gwyn, I brought you some roast chicken from Evermore City. Should I have Xenia bring you a plate?”
Still, there was no response from inside. After waiting a little longer, Victoria headed to the kitchen.
She’d brought back all of Gwyneth’s favorite foods from Evermore City, but had left them behind when they moved. Now that Gwyneth was back, Victoria was torn -should they stay here, or go back?
If they went back, Gwyneth would never want to leave again. Plus, Simms had never even met Gwyneth.
With her father’s situation so complicated, Victoria found herself at a loss for what to do.
In the end, she called Yasmine and asked her to bring over a few changes of clothes, and then tried calling McNeil again.
She needed to know what McNeil planned for Gwyneth. No matter what, she had to talk to him about Gwyneth’s schooling-she couldn’t just let her skip preschool altogether.
This time, when Victoria called, the phone was answered almost immediately- but it was Violet’s voice on the line.
“Victoria, McNeil’s in the shower. Is there something you need?”