Chapter 14: Victoria’s Final Warning
Victoria sat in my living room like she owned the house.
That was the part I hated most.
Not her confidence.
Not her calm.
The fact that she believed she belonged in my life.
She crossed her legs and looked around.
“The nursery is beautiful.””
I felt my hands tighten.
“Don’t talk about my daughter.””
Her eyes moved back to me.
“There’s the strength I was expecting.””
I stared.
“You expected me to fight?””
“Yes.””
The honesty surprised me.
“Why?””
“Because your mother was the same.””
The mention of my mother made my chest ache.
“You knew her.””
Victoria smiled faintly.
“We were friends.””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“Friends don’t destroy each other.””
Victoria’s expression didn’t change.
“People do terrible things when they believe they’re protecting themselves.””
There it was.
The excuse everyone used.
Protecting themselves.
Surviving.
Mistakes.
I was tired of excuses.
“What did you do to my mother?””
The room went quiet.
Damon looked uncomfortable.
Claire looked terrified.
Victoria simply studied me.
“Your mother was brilliant.””
“That’s not an answer.””
“She discovered things she shouldn’t have.””
“What things?””
Victoria leaned forward.
“Your father’s company wasn’t built the way you think.””
I frowned.
“What does that mean?””
“He uncovered financial crimes.””
My heart stopped.
“My father?””
“Yes.””
“And you?””
Victoria smiled.
“I was involved.””
The admission was so casual it almost didn’t feel real.
“You ruined my family.””
“No.””
She shook her head.
“Your family ruined itself by believing honesty was more valuable than power.””
I felt sick.
“You really believe that?””
“Yes.””
That was the terrifying part.
She did.
Victoria looked at Damon.
“Leave.””
He hesitated.
She looked at him again.
“Now.””
For the first time, I saw Damon hesitate around someone.
Not me.
Her.
He left the room.
Claire followed.
Leaving Victoria and me alone.
“You’re afraid of me,” she said.
I laughed quietly.
“No.””
“You should be.””
“Why?””
“Because I can still take everything from you.””
I looked at her.
“You mean the inheritance.””
Her eyes changed.
Just slightly.
Enough.
So that was the weakness.
The money.
The thing she had spent years chasing.
“You know about it.””
“Yes.””
“How?””
“My mother left records.””
Victoria smiled.
“Your mother always thought documents could defeat people.””
“And she was right.””
Victoria leaned closer.
“No, Emily.””
Her voice became softer.
“She was wrong.””
I didn’t move.
“You know what her biggest mistake was?””
“What?””
“She trusted people to do the right thing.””
The words hit harder than they should have.
Because that was my mistake too.
Victoria stood.
“This is your last chance.””
“For what?””
“To walk away.””
I stared at her.
“You’re offering me freedom?””
“I’m offering you peace.””
I looked around my house.
The nursery.
The photographs.
The life I built.
“You destroyed my peace.””
Victoria’s face hardened.
“Then you’ve made your choice.””
She walked toward the door.
Before leaving, she stopped.
“Oh, Emily?””
I looked up.
“Your mother wasn’t killed because she knew too much.””
My heart froze.
“What?””
Victoria smiled.
“She was killed because she was about to reveal who was helping her.””
The door closed.
I stood there, unable to move.
Because suddenly the biggest question wasn’t what Victoria did.
It was who helped my mother.
Who knew the truth.
Who had been hiding in the shadows.
My phone buzzed.
A message.
Unknown number.
*I can prove what happened to your mother. Meet me alone.*
I stared at the screen.
May you like
Then another message arrived.
*But don’t trust Rachel.*
