The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge novel Chapter 18

Relying on memory, Victoria scoured the city for her mother’s paintings, sparing no expense whenever she found one. Over the years, Stein had been by her side, always reaching out the moment he heard any news.

“No, there must be more out there—just waiting to be found,” he said.

Victoria’s voice was soft but steady. “Thank you, cousin.”

Back at Stein’s home in Echo City, he led her into the parlor where a small memorial for his late wife stood. Stein handed her three sticks of incense.

“Go on—pay your respects to your cousin-in-law.”

Victoria accepted the incense, lit them, and bowed three times, each movement deliberate and sincere. Rising, she looked at Stein.

“Are you really never going to remarry?”

“Jimmy’s still young. If I remarried, a new wife would almost certainly want her own child. I don’t want Jimmy to lose his father after he’s already lost his mother.”

Stein’s face was calm, but his words carried a quiet heaviness.

Victoria’s heart ached with sympathy. If anyone understood the weight of responsibility, it was Stein. His wife had died in childbirth. Any other man with his means would likely have remarried by now, but Stein had chosen to stay single for seven years—for his son, and for the memory of the woman he’d loved.

“About that land you mentioned last time—I pulled some strings and got you the approval. It’s yours now, part of the Langford Group.”

Stein shifted the conversation, his tone that of a protective older brother.