The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge novel Chapter 20

Victoria might have ignored her own calls out of anger, but she could hardly avoid picking up when Violet rang.

When Gwyneth finally heard her father say that her mom was all right, the worry that had weighed on her heart for days at last lifted; she calmed down, and the tears that had come so easily no longer threatened to spill at every little thing.

Her sadness had lingered until Mr. McNeil told her that Victoria wasn’t dead. The truth was, she cared about her mom more than she wanted to admit. But as soon as McNeil suggested she call Victoria, her mood soured again.

Dad had been home with Violet, everything was fine, and then, early this morning, he’d left. Violet told her the police called and said Mom was dead, which could only mean one thing—

Mom was up to her old tricks, trying to lure Dad back.

Gwyneth didn’t agree to call right away. Instead, she asked sullenly, “Dad, are you at home now?”

“No, I’m not.”

That settled it—Dad hadn’t fallen for Mom’s ploy, but Mom was definitely hiding somewhere. Otherwise, why would Dad ask her to call Mom himself?

There was no way she was going to call her. Her mother was far too cunning; Gwyneth was sure this was just some test to see if Dad still cared. If she called, Mom would tell Dad where she was, and he’d drop everything to go find her, dragging Gwyneth along too.

Here at Violet’s place, with Violet still sick and no one really in charge, she got to do whatever she wanted. She could eat when she liked, sleep when she pleased, and spend all day playing games. Being late for school—or even skipping altogether—wasn’t a problem, since Winding Peak Lane was so far from the kindergarten. Dad had even written her a month-long absence note.

She wasn’t about to contact her mom. If she did, Mom would probably make her go back to school, and her days of freedom would be over.

“Dad, Violet’s calling me. You’d better come back soon—if she starts throwing up blood again like that night, I’ll be scared to death. Oh no, my smartwatch is running out of battery. Gotta go charge it. Bye, Dad!”

“Gwyn—”