The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

Mr. Green always seemed so gentle and pleasant around her and her mom-just like Dad used to be with her.

But after more than a decade, everyone's lives and minds had changed in ways no one could've predicted.

"You know, the first time I met you, you gave off the same vibe-cold, distant, like you didn't care about anything. I barely ever heard you talk. But after you married my uncle, you were different."

Leonie wracked her brain, remembering how Gwyneth had once reminded her of that Connor guy, and Marcus too. No wonder they'd always seemed like old friends-birds of a feather, really.

Gwyneth, for once letting her guard down, touched her own cheek and tried to look innocent. "What's so different about me?"noveldrama

She truly didn't think she'd changed at all. But if anyone could call her out, it was definitely Leonie.

"Seriously, you didn't notice? Or did nobody around you ever tell you? When I first got to know you, you were so distant. If I asked you five questions, you'd maybe answer one. You rationed your words like they were gold. Just like my uncle, honestly.

But then, once you two got together, I actually saw you smile. Sometimes you'd get this thoughtful look on your face, but your lips would always curl up at the corners just like this."

Leonie grabbed the sides of her own mouth and pulled them up into a goofy grin, making crazy faces at Gwyneth until she burst out laughing.

"Oh, come on, it wasn't that dramatic. I smiled before too, didn't I?"

But the more Gwyneth thought about it, the more she realized Leonie might not be wrong. She'd been the reason her family fell apart, the reason her parents divorced, the reason her father ended up in a coma.

If it hadn't been for her mom, her great-grandfather, and her great-aunt loving her so much—if Chris and Celia hadn't always clung to her as their big sister-she wasn't sure what she'd even be living for.

Sometimes it felt like the only thing keeping her going was the hope that, one day, her dad would wake up, reunite with her mom, and Chris and Celia would finally have their father back.

"Well, I'm not like that anymore-"

Leonie and Gwyneth were still tangled up together, laughing, when a calm, deep voice came from the doorway.

"What's got you two so happy?"

Leonie immediately stopped, and Gwyneth, caught off balance, ended up half sprawled across her. She looked up to see a tall figure standing in the entryway, rolling a suitcase behind him.

The man wore a faint smile, his black suit jacket draped over one arm. His straight nose was framed by a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. giving him a scholarly air that softened the sharp, severe look he usually carried.

Leonie's eyes widened in surprise as she turned to Hawthorne. "Uncle, is that really you?"

Usually, her uncle was so intimidating she'd rather hide than talk to him. But today, he actually seemed approachable.

"What are you doing back so early?" Gwyneth asked, surprised—she'd expected him home late tonight, if not at dawn.

Hawthorne handed his suitcase and jacket to the housekeeper, then strode inside with his usual calm confidence.

Leonie hastily scooted over when he approached the sofa.

"So, what were you laughing about just now?" he asked, reaching out to ruffle Gwyneth's hair—a gesture so natural it made Leonie jealous just to watch.

She couldn't remember her uncle ever being this affectionate with her; but with Gwyneth, he was absolutely smitten.

"We were talking about her," Leonie said, grinning. "Ever since she married you, she smiles so much more. And you, too, Uncle-you've been smiling all evening."