Chapter 2 - THE WOMAN WHO REFUSED TO STAY SILENT
Victoria stared at Alexander.
For the first time in their eighteen-month engagement, she seemed unable to find the right expression.
Then she laughed.
“Alexander, surely you're joking.”
He didn't smile.
“No.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“Who told you?”
“Does it matter?”
“Of course it matters.”
She pushed back her chair.
“If Emily has been spreading lies about me—”
“She didn't tell me anything.”
Victoria froze.
Alexander continued.
“I watched the security footage.”
Her face drained of color.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she crossed her arms.
“You've been spying on me?”
Alexander stared.
“That's your concern?”
“You had no right to watch private footage of me.”
“Victoria, you struck an employee.”
“She was disrespectful.”
“She apologized to you.”
“She was incompetent.”
“She was following Eleanor's instructions.”
Victoria's voice rose.
“You don't understand what it's like managing a household this size.”
Alexander looked around the dining room.
“I understand that the people who work here deserve not to be assaulted.”
Victoria's eyes filled.
He recognized the tears.
He had seen them before.
Whenever he questioned her.
Whenever she wanted something.
Whenever a conversation threatened to become uncomfortable.
“Alexander,” she whispered, “I love you.”
He closed his eyes.
Then opened them.
“Love doesn't excuse cruelty.”
Her expression hardened.
“So what now?”
Alexander took a breath.
“Now you leave the house.”
Victoria stared.
“What?”
“Tonight.”
She laughed.
“You can't be serious.”
“I am.”
“Our wedding is in twelve days.”
“I know.”
“Two hundred guests are flying in.”
“I know.”
“My parents have spent a fortune.”
Alexander stood.
“Then they'll have twelve days to change their plans.”
Victoria's face twisted.
“You're ending our engagement over a maid?”
Alexander looked at her.
“No.”
He paused.
“I'm ending it because I finally saw who you are when you believe nobody important is watching.”
Victoria stared at him.
Then whispered, “You'll regret this.”
Alexander nodded.
“Perhaps.”
He walked toward the door.
“But I won't regret protecting the people you've hurt.”
---
The next morning, Emily arrived at work expecting disaster.
Instead, Eleanor met her at the staff entrance.
“Victoria's gone.”
Emily stopped.
“What?”
“Mr. Whitmore ended the engagement.”
Emily stared.
Her stomach dropped.
“Because of me?”
Eleanor shook her head.
“Because of Victoria.”
Emily looked down.
“But—”
“No, sweetheart.”
Eleanor touched her shoulder.
“You didn't make her cruel. You didn't make her lie. And you didn't make Mr. Whitmore choose what kind of man he wants to be.”
Emily swallowed.
For the first time in weeks, she felt herself breathe.
Then Eleanor smiled.
“And there's something else.”
“What?”
“Mr. Whitmore wants to speak with the staff.”
Emily's heart tightened.
“About what?”
May you like
Eleanor looked toward the main house.
“About making sure this never happens again.”
