Chapter 13 - VICTORIA'S CONFESSION
I didn't trust Victoria.
Not after everything.
But I listened.
Because she looked frightened.
Not guilty.
Frightened.
"What is my father lying about?"
Victoria swallowed.
"The trust."
"What about it?"
"It's not four-point-eight million."
I frowned.
"Then how much?"
She looked at me.
"Twenty-two million."
The room seemed to tilt.
"Twenty-two?"
She nodded.
"Your grandfather left a controlling interest in three companies."
"Companies?"
"Real estate. Energy. Construction."
I stared.
"My family owns those?"
"Your family did."
"Did?"
Victoria nodded.
"Richard has been selling pieces of them for years."
"Then why didn't anyone know?"
"Because the ownership was hidden inside trusts."
"And Julian?"
"He found out."
"That's when he came after me?"
Victoria's eyes filled with tears.
"No."
I stared.
"Then why?"
She took a breath.
"Because Richard ordered him to."
The words hit harder than I expected.
"Why?"
"Because Julian was the only person close enough to you."
I felt sick.
"He was supposed to make you trust him."
"He was my husband."
"I know."
"He loved Noah."
"I know."
"He told me he loved me."
Victoria looked away.
"He did."
I stared at her.
"Then why did he leave?"
"Because he was afraid."
"Of Richard?"
"Yes."
I shook my head.
"That doesn't explain the affair."
Victoria looked at me.
"The affair was real."
Silence.
"I loved him."
She wiped a tear.
"I know how disgusting that sounds."
I didn't answer.
"But Julian loved you too."
That hurt more than anything.
"He never said that."
"Because Richard told him if he chose you, Noah would disappear."
I froze.
"What?"
Victoria nodded.
"Richard had people watching your son."
My stomach turned.
"You're lying."
"No."
She reached into her purse.
She handed me several photographs.
Noah.
At school.
At soccer practice.
At the park.
Leaving our house.
Every photograph had been taken secretly.
I felt cold.
"How long?"
"Years."
"Who took these?"
"People working for Richard."
I looked at the photographs again.
Then at Victoria.
"Why are you telling me?"
"Because I finally understood what I married into."
"You married Julian for money."
"At first."
She didn't deny it.
"Then I fell in love with him."
I looked away.
"And now?"
"Now I want out."
"Why should I believe you?"
She took out her phone.
"I recorded Richard."
She played the recording.
Richard's voice filled the room.
"If Julian refuses, we take Noah."
Another voice answered.
Julian.
"Leave my son out of this."
Richard laughed.
"Then do what you're told."
The recording ended.
I looked at Victoria.
"Where is Julian?"
She hesitated.
"Not where you think."
"What does that mean?"
"He's trying to stop Richard."
I laughed.
"After everything he did?"
"He knows he's guilty."
"That doesn't make him innocent."
"No."
Victoria looked at me.
"But it may keep Noah alive."
Suddenly her phone rang.
She looked at the screen.
Her face drained of color.
"Who is it?"
She showed me.
RICHARD.
I answered.
"Hello?"
His voice came through.
"Victoria."
"Where are you?"
"With Claire."
Silence.
Then Richard laughed.
"Of course you are."
I tightened my grip.
"What do you want?"
"Your father."
"Why?"
"Because he has something I need."
"What?"
"The location of Grant Hale."
Victoria froze.
I looked at her.
Richard continued:
"And if your father doesn't tell me..."
A pause.
"...I'll tell Noah who really caused his grandfather's death."
The call ended.
Victoria stared at me.
"What does he mean?"
I whispered:
"I don't know."
Then my phone buzzed.
A message from my father.
Claire, don't come home.
Another message arrived immediately.
Richard knows where you are.
Then a third.
May you like
He has Noah.
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