After all that, Victoria messaged K with a heartfelt apology. She explained there was something going on at home, so she couldn’t make it over and might not be able to see him for a while.

Meanwhile, Paul slept like the dead, but his internal clock never failed to jolt him awake at exactly six-thirty in the evening.

He waited and waited, but there was still no sign of Victoria. A bandage was still stuck across the bridge of his nose from yesterday-McNeil’s punch had nearly broken it, and even now, Paul couldn’t quite shake off the lingering dread. What he really couldn’t figure out was why his own cousin had hit him in the first place.

When the doorbell rang, Paul’s heart skipped-maybe it was Victoria. Instead, it turned out to be a delivery guy.

Paul scowled. “I didn’t order anything.”

The delivery guy double-checked. “The address is right here. This is for you.”

Paul took the bag and opened it, only to find a full spread-four entrees and a hearty soup, all neatly packed.

He instantly knew who had sent it.

That woman who’d been clinging to him for days, only to run off the moment she had enough.

So she thought she could just order him some food and be done with it? What a joke.

Without a second glance, Paul dumped the whole bag straight into the trash, not even bothering to see which five-star restaurant in Starfall City it had come from.

That meal must’ve cost over a thousand bucks, but Paul couldn’t care less. He blocked Victoria’s number without a shred of hesitation.

Victoria, after work, went to pick up Gwyneth. By the time she remembered K, it was already late.

Once she’d tucked Gwyneth in, she sent him a message.

“Did you have dinner? I’m so sorry I couldn’t make it today. I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I ordered what I’ve been making for you lately-no chili, no garlic.”

Hours passed with no reply. Victoria assumed he was busy gaming and hadn’t seen it, so she didn’t think much of it.

That night, Victoria returned to the master bedroom she’d once shared with McNeil. She worried he might come home, certain she’d be wide awake all night if he did. Instead, she drifted off almost immediately.

McNeil was at his office until nearly ten. He didn’t even feel like stopping by Winding Peak Lane tonight.

Violet called to ask if he’d join them for dinner, but he just said he’d be heading back to the old house. That was the end of the conversation.

When McNeil pulled into the driveway, the lights in the house were on, but the master bedroom was dark.

He frowned and headed first to his daughter’s room, thinking Victoria might be with her.

He found Gwyneth fast asleep, hugging her stuffed animal, and felt a strange sense of relief settle over him.

He slipped off his shoes and made his way upstairs.

Victoria was asleep in the master bed, her breathing deep and even-clearly, she’d been out for a while.

McNeil climbed in beside her, careful as he pulled the covers back.

By the pale moonlight trickling through the window, he studied her beautiful sleeping face. Right then, he realized he didn’t want to let her go ever again.

How could he bear the thought of his wife-McNeil’s wife-letting anyone else see her like this?

Paul’s words still echoed in his mind, making his blood boil. If Paul weren’t his cousin, Starfall City would’ve had one more body in the morgue by now.

McNeil pressed a kiss to Victoria’s forehead, then down to the tip of her nose, and finally, to her lips—a deep, almost desperate kiss that threatened to swallow them both.

Victoria had been sound asleep, but there was no way she could keep ignoring him with the way McNeil kept shifting and fidgeting beside her.

Eventually, she woke up.

“You’re back?” Her tone was flat, emotionless.

McNeil wasn’t pleased with her reaction. He reached out, gripping her delicate chin until she had no choice but to look him in the eye.

“What’s wrong? Not happy to see me?”

Victoria hated being manhandled like this, but with McNeil pinning her down, there was no way she could fight back.

He was always stronger when he was angry-or when he wanted something. Her experience told her it was best just to go along with it.

“Wouldn’t dare,” she answered coolly.

McNeil scoffed. “Wouldn’t dare? You seem to be having quite a bit of fun lately. Older men, younger men… Is there anyone you won’t sleep with?”

Victoria felt a surge of anger. What was he even talking about?

“Don’t understand?” McNeil didn’t bother spelling it out. Instead, he started pulling at her clothes, restless and impatient.

Victoria tried to resist.

“Just remember why Stein is still walking free. V&S Group is already as good as mine. You’d better pick a date and sign it over to the Langford Group.”

Suddenly, McNeil got up and began straightening his clothes, making it clear he wasn’t interested in taking things any further.

Victoria sat up in bed. “What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. Get the paperwork ready-five billion. And don’t think your body can buy you everything from me. I’ve given you time to think it over, but my patience is up.”

He finished dressing, yanked open the door, and slammed it behind him, the sound echoing like a gunshot in Victoria’s chest.

She reached out without thinking and her fingers brushed against a pearl earring. Her heart lurched.

She remembered leaving that earring at K’s place. How did it end up with McNeil?

So he’d known where she was all along. He hadn’t exposed her he was just playing with her.

He’d always known, hadn’t he? Victoria gripped the earring in her fist, and before she could stop herself, tears began to fall.