Chapter 441
McNeil’s expression as he listened would haunt Violet for the rest of her life.
He stared at her with a cold, distant look-utterly unfeeling.
“If you’ve truly loved someone, you should know things like this can’t be forced.”
His security team appeared at that moment, pausing in surprise when they saw Violet.
“Take her downstairs. And don’t let her come near Mrs. Langford again.”
Violet’s composure shattered-not just because McNeil refused to ‘try’ with her, but because he called Victoria “Mrs. Langford.”
“McNeil, I hate you! Why are you treating me like this? If you never loved me, then why agree to marry me in the first place? I’m your wife, not her!”
Tears streamed down her face. She wanted the whole neighborhood to know that she was McNeil’s real wife.
But her sobs didn’t draw a crowd of curious neighbors instead, they brought out the building manager.
Violet was being carried out by security, after all. Her photo was snapped and she was promptly added to the building’s blacklist-never to set foot there again.
“McNeil, I won’t let Victoria off so easily!” she screamed as they bundled her into a black town car, refusing to let her run.
“Ms. Marchand, Mr. Langford has instructed us to escort you back to Starfall City. Be aware you’re facing charges of theft and harassment. There will be no bail. Please prepare yourself.”
Violet was stunned. She thrashed around in the backseat, frantic to escape. “McNeil! McNeil, you bastard! Why are you doing this to me? I’m your wife!” But to the security team, her words were nothing but the ravings of a madwoman. Once Violet was gone, McNeil walked to Victoria’s door and knocked. No answer. He knew she wouldn’t take his calls, so he sent a text instead:
“Violet’s gone. I’m sorry. She won’t bother you again.”
He hadn’t expected today’s chaos. Never once had it crossed his mind that Violet would track him down here.
After a long wait, Victoria finally replied:
“I want you gone too.”
Gone for good. She never wanted to see him again. The whole incident had ruined his day.
He rushed to respond: “I know you’re furious. This is my fault. I promise she’ll never show up in your life again.”
Victoria glanced at his message, but his newfound humility didn’t move her in the slightest.
“Starting tomorrow, don’t step foot in my home again. If you show up, I’ll take your child and disappear. You’ll never find us.”
McNeil knew she meant it. She’d
already cut off everything in Starfall City-even left their daughter Gwyneth behind. Now he had
nothing to tie her down. Victoria was fully capable of vanishing.
“Please, calm down. I won’t come looking for you for a while. I’m not asking for forgiveness, just… think about our child.
Maybe you can handle everything alone as a single mother. But when someone asks him why his dad’s not around, won’t you even consider how he’ll feel?”
Victoria heard her phone buzzing with texts. The headache was almost physical; she barely skimmed his messages before tossing the phone aside.
She finally sent back one line:
“Who said he doesn’t have a dad? I’ve got money and I’ve got looks. If I want to find my son a father figure, what’s stopping me?
Besides, I’m not as faithful as you, Mr. Langford—I’m not the type to only ever have one person by my side. I’ve got plenty of options.”
She was clearly going out of her way to provoke him.
“Forgot to mention-Curtis Garcia is moving to Evermore City too. He’s been dying to play dad to my son, even before I got here. Oh, and Marcus seems like a good catch. He’s got a nephew, Max-maybe they can be playmates.
And don’t forget, Mr. Langford, I’ve got a very powerful friend, Stein. Any of these
guys would be a better father than you.”
McNeil scrolled through her messages, feeling his blood pressure spike-he
nearly blacked out from rage.
Victoria wasn’t bluffing. He could feel it.
Those men-Curtis and Marcus,
especially had been circling Victoria even before their divorce, never bothering to hide their intentions. Stein, though, was the real threat. He was successful, grounded, charming-exactly the kind of man women fall for at first sight.
Furious, McNeil fired back: “I’m a man. I know what men are like. Don’t be fooled by Stein’s image-he’s not perfect husband material. I’m just looking out for you.”
Victoria, sprawled on her chaise lounge after venting her anger, was suddenly struck by the realization-they weren’t married anymore. Why was she even arguing?
She turned off her phone and went straight to bed. She couldn’t be bothered.
When McNeil saw that his last message went unanswered, a heavy sense of loss crept up on him.
He’d rather they argued than have her ignore him. Arguing meant she still cared. Silence just made him panic.
He tried calling, but just as he expected-her phone was switched off.
He was left feeling utterly empty.
“Goodnight, darling…” he whispered to the dark.