Chapter 3 - Before VictoriaRichard stared at the closet.
“My father?”
Eleanor nodded.
Emily closed the door gently.
Richard sat beside the bed.
“What did Dad do?”
Eleanor struggled.
“Victoria…”
“Victoria locked Dad in there?”
“No.”
She became frustrated.
Emily intervened.
“Mrs. Coleman, don't force yourself.”
Eleanor looked toward the nightstand.
Emily found a notebook.
Most pages contained physical-therapy exercises.
But near the back were several shaky handwritten sentences.
Richard recognized his mother's handwriting.
VICTORIA WAS HERE BEFORE ROBERT DIED.
His father, Robert Coleman.
Richard read another.
THEY ARGUED.
Another:
HE SAID HE WOULD TELL RICHARD.
Richard looked at Eleanor.
“Tell me what?”
She closed her eyes.
Exhausted.
Emily said:
“She needs rest.”
Richard wanted answers.
But for once, he listened.
At the hospital, doctors confirmed Eleanor had not suffered a new stroke.
The extraordinary movement during the confrontation had been fueled by stress and adrenaline, but her condition remained serious.
Emily received treatment for bruising and her lip.
Richard waited outside.
When she emerged, he stood.
“I'll arrange transportation.”
“I can call someone.”
“Emily—”
“Mr. Coleman.”
The formality hurt.
“I need space.”
He nodded.
“You'll have it.”
She walked away.
Richard didn't stop her.
That evening, his attorney called.
Victoria had been released pending investigation.
She was legally permitted to return to the mansion.
Richard refused.
His attorney warned him not to violate her marital property rights without a court order.
So Richard moved Eleanor temporarily to a private rehabilitation suite.
Victoria returned to an empty mansion.
Richard watched through security cameras from his office.
She entered Eleanor's bedroom.
She didn't cry.
Didn't panic.
Didn't call Richard.
She walked directly to the antique nightstand.
Opened the drawer.
Found the second phone missing.
Then she went to the closet.
Richard leaned closer to the monitor.
Victoria reached behind a wooden panel.
Pulled out an envelope.
Richard froze.
She had known exactly where it was.
He called mansion security.
“Do not confront her.”
“Sir?”
“Just keep her inside.”
Richard drove home.
When he entered the bedroom, Victoria was waiting.
The envelope was gone.
“What did you take?”
She smiled.
“From my own bedroom?”
“It was my mother's room.”
“Your mother's room is technically part of our marital residence.”
“Stop playing games.”
Victoria sat in the armchair.
“You really want to know?”
“Yes.”
“Ask Eleanor why your father changed his will three days before he died.”
Richard stared.
“He didn't.”
Victoria smiled.
“Didn't he?”
“My father left everything according to the family trust.”
“That's what you were told.”
“What was in the envelope?”
“A letter.”
“From him?”
“Yes.”
“To whom?”
“Your mother.”
“What did it say?”
Victoria studied him.
Then:
“That he knew what she did.”
Richard stepped closer.
“What did she do?”
Victoria smiled.
“You've spent twenty-four hours deciding I'm a monster.”
“You threw a vase at a helpless woman.”
“Yes.”
The admission stunned him.
Victoria continued:
“I did.”
No excuse.
No denial.
“I hated her in that moment.”
Richard stared.
“But hatred didn't start with me.”
“What are you talking about?”
Victoria stood.
“Your family was broken long before I entered it.”
She walked toward the door.
Richard blocked her.
“Where is the letter?”
“Somewhere safe.”
“Victoria.”
She looked into his eyes.
“Your mother watched your father die.”
May you like
Richard froze.
“And she could have saved him.”
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