Chapter 9 - Victoria’s SmileVictoria Whitmore had never been family by blood, but she had moved through the house as if she owned its future.
She was Alexander’s late wife’s cousin. Beautiful, educated, polished, always helpful in ways that left fingerprints on nothing.
She had brought flowers after Amelia died.
She had organized memorial dinners.
She had reminded Alexander, gently and often, that little girls needed a woman of their own class to guide them.
Now she was leaving with three suitcases before lunch.
Alexander stopped her in the foyer.
“Going somewhere?”
Victoria smiled. “This house has become unpleasant.”
“Strange timing.”
“I do not enjoy police interviews.”
“Neither do innocent people with secrets.”
Her smile faltered.
Grace stood at the top of the stairs holding Clara.
Victoria’s eyes moved to her.
There it was again.
That flash of hate.
Alexander saw it clearly now.
“You knew about the bracelet,” he said.
Victoria laughed. “Alexander, grief has made you dramatic.”
“And the sedative?”
No laugh this time.
“I have no idea what you mean.”
Grace came down one step. “You told Mrs. Hale that Iris looked more manageable after the drops.”
Victoria’s expression sharpened. “Careful, maid.”
Alexander stepped between them.
Victoria exhaled. “Fine. Let us be honest. Grace is young. Pretty. Convenient. You are lonely. Your mother overreacted because she saw what everyone sees.”
“What does everyone see?”
“That you are about to ruin your daughters’ lives over a servant with a rescue fantasy.”
Grace’s face burned.
Alexander’s voice was quiet. “Grace taught my daughter to walk.”
Victoria leaned closer. “Or she staged it so you would need her.”
The cruelty was so smooth it almost sounded reasonable.
Almost.
Then Clara spoke from Grace’s arms.
“Bad lady said Iris must stay baby.”
Victoria froze.
Alexander looked up.
Clara pointed directly at her.
“Bad lady said Daddy loves broken Iris more.”
Grace shut her eyes.
Victoria’s suitcase slipped from her hand.
Alexander felt the last of his blindness fall away.
“What did you say to my daughter?”
May you like
Victoria’s mouth opened.
No answer came.
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