The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge novel Chapter 594

“And you?”

Hawthorne grinned. “Of course, I rushed back just to see you. Tomorrow, I want to take you to Greenvale. My brother and sister-in-law are eager to meet you.”

He didn’t mention that Mr. and Mrs. Everhart actually had something to tell her, or that they were planning to give her gifts—especially Leonie, who was practically beside herself with excitement.

Gwyneth hesitated. “I haven’t told Mom and the others yet.”

Hawthorne looked at her and asked, “What if I hadn’t come back?”

“…”

The Langford family would probably be worried sick by now.

Gwyneth wasn’t about to say that out loud. Instead, she shot back, “Would you really not come?”

Hawthorne ruffled her hair with fond affection. “No chance. After all the trouble I went through with the engagement gifts, I’m not about to let that go to waste.”

Gwyneth’s heart warmed for half a second before indignation bubbled up in her chest.

“So it’s not me you’re attached to, just the gifts? Fine, take them all back—I don’t care.”

She couldn’t tell if he was joking or not, and the uncertainty just made her more annoyed.

Watching her puff up in anger, Hawthorne couldn’t help but laugh, his chest shaking with the effort to hold it in. When Gwyneth looked up and realized he was barely suppressing his laughter, she glared at him.

“What’s so funny?”

He hooked a finger under her chin, teasing, “If a few gifts can win me a beautiful woman like you, I’d say it’s a fair trade.”

Gwyneth had thought their conversation was going perfectly well—Hawthorne seemed perfectly normal—until he looked at her with that mischievous glint, like a thief eyeing his prize.

He gazed down at her peaceful, innocent face and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Still just a child, he thought. For a moment, guilt washed over him for letting his thoughts stray. Lying there, he decided he couldn’t bring himself to do anything that might hurt her purity. If he gave in to temptation, what kind of man would that make him?

He heard her mumble, “Daddy—”

She said something else, too soft to catch. In the moonlight, he noticed a glimmer of tears at the corners of her eyes.

“Sweet girl,” Hawthorne whispered, kissing away her tears and holding her close.

That’s how they spent the night—together, yet worlds apart. By the time Gwyneth woke, the other side of the bed was empty. She had no idea when she’d fallen asleep, or when Hawthorne had gotten up. She reached out and felt the faint warmth lingering on the sheets.