The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

She hurried out of bed and dashed downstairs, uncertain where Hawthorne had gone—maybe out for a run, maybe something else—

It wasn't until she heard the sounds coming from the kitchen that Gwyneth relaxed and drifted over. There he was.

Hawthorne looked up the moment she entered, catching sight of Gwyneth at the doorway.

"You're up. I made breakfast-come and eat."

There was a spread on the table: a steaming bowl of nourishing soup, golden

fried dumplings, freshly ground soy milk, toast, and eggs.

So he'd gotten up early just to make her breakfast?

Gwyneth wandered to the dining table. Hawthorne pulled out her chair for her and

set her plate in front of her with quiet care.

"Coffee or milk? I've got soy milk ready, too."

Gwyneth eyed the soy milk and said, "This is perfect for me."

She glanced at the dough still rising on the counter-was he really planning to make homemade doughnuts, too?

"Don't go overboard, I can't eat that much."

Was he trying to fatten her up? Hawthorne pinched her cheek lightly. "No way, you're far too thin."

If they wanted to have a baby, she'd need to put on a little weight first.

Gwyneth was curvy enough, just slender. Honestly, she ate more with Hawthorne than she ever had before.

Gwyneth pinched her own cheek, feigning a pout. "Am I really that thin?"

Her childish gesture made it impossible for Hawthorne to hide the smile tugging at his lips.

"When we're back in Greenvale, I'll cook your favorites every day."

She'd need the extra energy if they were going to start a family.

Gwyneth didn't say anything more, simply focused on eating quietly.

Back at the old family house, Victoria and the patriarch were still waiting for her. Gwyneth had breakfast with them every morning, but today she was running late.

Chris and Celia were huddled together, whispering conspiratorially.

"Do you think she's upset because you said Hawthorne might not come yesterday?" Chris muttered.noveldrama

Celia shot him a glare. "You were the one who said that. Weren't you the one who claimed she didn't deserve our big sis?"

Victoria had been chatting with her father-in-law but caught the kids' bickering.

"What are you two fussing about now?"

They really were a handful-nothing like Gwyn.

Victoria sighed. Gwyn had never troubled her as a teen; Chris and Celia, on the other hand, were chatterboxes who couldn't go three days without an argument. Chris

barely spoke a word to anyone

outside, but as soon as he was home with Celia, they could

squabble for days on end.

Victoria honestly couldn't tell who they

tal after. McNeil wasn't

talkative, and she herself was the picture of calm. How did she end up with two little parrots?

"Nothing," Chris replied, a little guiltily. "Maybe you should give Gwyn a call?"

"You call her."

The two passed the buck back and forth until, just then, Gwyneth and Hawthorne arrived.

"Mom, Grandpa-Hawthorne wanted to come meet you both. Sorry we're late."

The moment they saw Hawthorne, Chris and Celia's faces lit up with obvious delight.

It lasted all of three seconds before Chris resumed his cool indifference and Celia composed herself as well.

“Glad you could make it. Come join us for breakfast,” Thorpe said, his eyes crinkling with a smile. Victoria had a pretty good idea of what was going on.

"I suppose they won't be eating with us," she said, looking at the pair. "Well? Are you heading to Greenvale?"

A daughter grows up and can't be kept at home forever.

Gwyneth nodded, a little

embarrassed. Hawthorne, however, was straightforward. "I wanted to ask your opinion," he said to Victoria. "My family would like to meet Gwyn. I was hoping to take her back to

Greenvale for a visit."

Chris and Celia looked like they wanted to protest, but swallowed their words.

Their sister's happiness was what mattered most.

Victoria looked at them all. "I have no objections. Just promise you'll be back for the wedding at the end of the year."