Chapter 15 - Mara Ellison’s BoxBrixton looked nothing like Kensington.
Alexander knew that was the point.
Grace’s aunt lived above a bakery, in a flat with warm yellow walls and framed family photos everywhere. She greeted Grace with a hug, then looked at Alexander with open suspicion.
“This the billionaire?”
Grace sighed. “Aunt June.”
“I asked a question.”
Alexander, carrying Iris because she refused to let go of his collar, said, “Yes, ma’am.”
June narrowed her eyes. “At least he has manners.”
The box was kept under a bed.
Old hospital badges. Letters. A silver baby bracelet. A USB drive sealed in a plastic bag. And a photograph of Mara Ellison standing beside Amelia and Charles Ashford.
Grace touched her mother’s face in the picture.
June watched her quietly. “Your mum said that family was cursed by money.”
Grace opened an envelope with trembling fingers.
Inside was a letter addressed to her.
My darling Grace,
If you are reading this, then I failed to stay quiet enough.
Grace sat down hard.
Alexander wanted to help, but knew better than to move too fast.
The letter explained that Mara had worked privately for Amelia after the twins’ birth. Amelia had feared Eleanor’s control, but she had feared her own brother Charles even more.
Charles had wanted custody influence over the twins’ inheritance.
Eleanor wanted control of the Whitmore legacy.
Both needed Alexander broken.
Both needed Iris seen as fragile.
Both needed Clara ignored.
Grace read the last paragraph aloud, voice shaking.
“There was an argument the night Lady Amelia died. I heard Charles tell Eleanor that if Amelia changed the trust, they would all lose everything.”
Alexander stopped breathing.
Grace looked up.
“My mother recorded something.”
The USB drive sat between them.
June whispered, “Mara made me promise never to play it unless someone came asking about those babies.”
Alexander picked up the drive.
May you like
Outside, through the bakery window, a black car slowed at the curb.
Then stopped.
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