The dog had no idea what they were yelling about, but it bounced around excitedly. One second it was attacking Connor's shoe, the next it was rolling over by Leonie's feet, before finally scurrying back to Gwyneth and demanding to be held.
"I was just asking! Why are you so aggressive? Can't a guy hold out a little hope?"
Connor had been nursing a grudge about this entire situation from the start.
The first time he laid eyes on Gwyneth, he had no idea she was his childhood crush. If he had known back then, he never would have let Hawthorne get his hooks into her. He would have knocked Hawthorne out and carried her off himself.
Now, Gwyneth was the one who got away, his ultimate regret. As the three of them sat around the patio table, Leonie unceremoniously kicked Connor under the table.
"What was that for?!" Connor jumped.
Leonie glanced pointedly at the thermos.
"Open it and pour the stew."
Looking thoroughly defeated, Connor popped the lid just as Butler Parham arrived with their tea, pastries, and a set of soup bowls.
As Connor began ladling the stew, he muttered complaints under his breath. Leonie rolled her eyes in exasperation and turned to Gwyneth.
"Just ignore him, Gwyneth. He's always like this. If he doesn't throw a tantrum every couple of days, his brain short-circuits."
Connor continued muttering like a chanting monk as he poured.
Then, under the intense scrutiny of both Leonie and Gwyneth, he filled a bowl, picked up a spoon, and brought it directly to his own mouth. Leonie's shriek nearly blew the roof off the balcony.
"Connor Kaufman! What the hell are you doing?! I told you to serve Gwyneth! That stew isn't for you—it's for the pregnant woman! Are you insane?!"
Gwyneth clutched her stomach, wheezing with laughter, while Leonie looked ready to pop a blood vessel.
She reached out to yank his ear, but Connor narrowly dodged her.
"I know, I know! You psycho! Can you act like a lady for five seconds? You're so loud!"
Grumbling, Connor slid the bowl across the table to Gwyneth, but Leonie snatched it away immediately.
"Gwyneth, I'll drink this one. Pour her a fresh bowl right now!"
Connor glared at Leonie, deeply offended. "Why do you get to drink it but I can't?"
He was genuinely upset. He had managed one quick sip and realized the stew was absolutely delicious.
But more importantly, it was the thought that counted. Even if it tasted awful, Gwyneth would never complain.
"Of course I like it. Your mom's cooking is amazing."
Reassured, Leonie slid the freshly poured bowl over to Gwyneth.
"Drink as much as you can, then."
Then she looked at Connor. "Max," she cooed in a sickeningly sweet voice, using the ridiculous pet name Gwyneth sometimes called him, "want to share the rest?"
Being called 'Max' in that tone gave Connor full-body goosebumps. He stared at Leonie like she was a mutant alien.
"A minute ago you wouldn't let me have a single drop. Now you want to share? Did you poison it? Are you trying to kill me?"
Leonie looked ready to strangle him on the spot.
"You wish! If I poisoned you, I'd go to jail. I'm in the prime of my life; I'm not going down with you. The Green family in Starfall City is loaded, right?
Did your uncle take out a massive life insurance policy on you? If you want me to poison you, let's get married first. That way, when you croak, I get a massive payout."

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge
I can’t even read this sickening story anymore, this couple didn’t even get a chance to be really happy before their marriage was torn apart. It had been dragged out long enough....
If Gwyn gets an abortion I am going to stop reading this story, I believe in pro-choice but come on. Why can't he just tell her what he is really doing with Patti instead of letting her think she is a mistress....
Why no updates? It’s been so long! Pls update....