"Forget him. We haven't done anything wrong. If he wants to sulk, let him!"
"A man this petty—I really regret marrying someone like him!"
A gleam flickered in Patrick's eyes.
An almost imperceptible smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
Wilfred returned to the bedroom and quickly packed his things.
There wasn't much, really.
A few changes of clothes, some materials he'd collected over the years on mathematics and racing, and Penelope's daily necessities.
All of it barely filled one suitcase.
When he came downstairs with the luggage, holding Penelope's hand, Hildegarde's eyes flashed with fury the moment she saw them.
She forgot all about treating Patrick's wounds.
"What is this supposed to mean, Wilfred?"
"Yeah, what's going on here?" Patrick chimed in. "Couples fight, but they make up in the same bed. Why are you packing like you're moving out?"
"It doesn't mean anything."
Wilfred looked at Hildegarde's face, twisted slightly with anger.
Once, he had loved that face desperately.
Loved her to the bone.
But now, he felt nothing.
"Don't misunderstand. Everything in here is my personal property. I haven't touched a single thing that belongs to the Pruitts or anything you've bought me over the years."
"And me! This Barbie doll—Daddy saved up to buy it for me."
Penelope poked her little head out, her voice soft but firm.
Hildegarde was livid.
"Are you serious about this, Wilfred?"
"Just because I'm close with Patrick, you're jealous, is that it? You're a man—can't you be a little less petty? Acting like this only makes me look down on you even more!"
Wilfred's gaze drifted to their wrists.
A luxury couple's watch set.
They were even wearing matching couple's watches, yet she still had the nerve to accuse him of being petty?
Of being jealous?
Hildegarde noticed Wilfred's gaze drift toward her wrist. Her face flushed, and she instinctively tugged her sleeve down. "Oh, right," she said, her tone flat. "I picked up a watch for you at the airport during my last business trip."
She rummaged through her handbag and pulled out a gift box.
Then tossed it on the floor like garbage.
The whole gesture reeked of charity—like she was throwing scraps to a beggar.
Wilfred looked down.
The box had popped open on impact. Inside lay a men's wristwatch.
Except...
It was obviously fake.