Chapter 6 - The Broken Toy
Later that evening, the mansion was shrouded in dark winter shadows. Nathaniel stood by the grand fireplace in the main hall, holding a glass of scotch he hadn't touched.
He was looking up at the grand staircase. The marble steps looked pristine, innocent, completely devoid of any sign that a crime had been committed here twenty-four hours ago.
He heard soft, hesitant footsteps coming from the dark corridor near the dining room.
Nathaniel turned and saw a tiny figure standing in the doorway. It was Lily, wearing her flannel pajamas, holding a small wooden toy horse with a broken leg.
Nathaniel blinked in surprise. He rarely interacted with the staff's children, keeping a firm boundary between his private life and household operations. But looking at the small, frightened girl, his expression softened.
He knelt down on one knee on the polished marble floor. "Hello there," he said gently. "Are you lost?"
Lily shook her head, her dark curls bouncing. She took three small steps toward him, holding out the wooden horse.
"It broke," Lily whispered softly.
Nathaniel took the toy gently from her small hands, examining the clean snap near the horse's wooden hoof. "I think we can fix this. I have some wood glue in my study."
Lily looked up at the towering staircase behind him, her eyes widening slightly. She pointed a small, chubby finger toward the top mezzanine.
"The grand-lady cried there," Lily said unexpectedly.
Nathaniel froze. His hands tightened around the wooden toy. He kept his voice completely calm, careful not to scare her.
"When did she cry, sweetheart?"
"Before she went boom," Lily said, her childish voice echoing strangely in the quiet hall. "The pretty lady was mad. She snatched the stick."
Nathaniel’s heart started hammering against his ribs like a sledgehammer. He leaned down closer to the little girl, his slate-gray eyes wide with sudden, explosive clarity.
"Lily," Nathaniel whispered, his voice trembling slightly. "Did you see what happened to my mother?"
Before Lily could answer, a loud gasp came from the shadows of the service doorway.
Rosa ran out into the hall, her face pale with absolute horror. She grabbed Lily by the arms and pulled her back, holding her tightly against her chest.
"Mr. Nathaniel, I am so sorry!" Rosa cried out, her voice frantic, tears streaming down her face. "She didn't mean it! She's just a child! She makes up stories! Please don't fire us! Please!"
Nathaniel stood up slowly, looking from the terrified mother to the innocent child in her arms.
"Rosa," Nathaniel said, his voice dropping into a deep, steady tone that commanded absolute attention. "Look at me."
Rosa looked up, her whole body shaking with fear.
"Is my daughter telling the truth?" Nathaniel asked softly.
May you like
Rosa looked toward the grand staircase, then toward the upper floor where Vivien’s bedroom was located. The terror that had kept her silent for twenty-four hours finally broke under the weight of her conscience.
"Yes," Rosa sobbed, holding Lily tighter. "She saw everything."
