Chapter 15 - Victoria’s Letter
Victoria brought the letter through counsel.
No private meeting.
No performance.
Rachel opened it first.
Then handed it to Arthur.
Grace’s handwriting.
If you are reading this after I’m gone, then I did not find the courage to give it to you.
Victoria stared at the table.
Grace wrote:
I know you think I trust Arthur more than you.
That was brutally Grace.
Victoria laughed once through tears.
Then:
Not because he is better. Because when he is scared, he retreats. When you are scared, you take control.
Arthur felt the sentence land on both of them.
I am afraid you will confuse protecting Lily with possessing her.
Victoria wiped her face.
At the bottom:
If you ever resent Lily for what she inherits, walk away before you become someone she fears.
Arthur stopped reading.
Victoria whispered:
“I hated her for writing that.”
“Why?”
“Because she was right.”
Victoria admitted she kept the letter hidden.
After Grace died, she found out about the godparent change.
Then Charles told her Arthur was too distracted to notice administrative withdrawals.
At first, she took small amounts.
She told herself Grace owed her.
Then she became afraid of discovery.
The cameras began as surveillance.
Then documentation.
“Why Lily?”
“Because she wouldn’t tell me where the key was.”
Arthur’s jaw tightened.
“And the stairs?”
Victoria looked at him.
“I panicked.”
“You pushed her.”
“Yes.”
The word was quiet.
Arthur looked away.
But accountability had finally entered the room.
Victoria agreed to cooperate fully.
She identified every account.
Every document Charles prepared.
Then Rachel asked:
“Is there anything else?”
“One thing.”
She looked at Arthur.
“Grace didn’t put all Lily’s money in the trust.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s another account.”
“Where?”
May you like
Victoria whispered:
“In Elena’s name.”
