Chapter 8 - THE NIGHT THE HOUSE TURNED AGAINST HER
Vivien's patience finally broke on a Thursday afternoon.
She found Elena in the laundry room.
I learned what happened from the security recording Daniel Mercer had helped preserve.
Vivien entered carrying a small leather handbag.
Elena was folding towels.
“Where is it?” Vivien demanded.
Elena looked up.
“What?”
“The key.”
Elena went still.
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
Vivien smiled coldly.
“Don't insult me.”
She stepped closer.
“I know Gabriel gave you something.”
Elena backed away.
Vivien continued.
“And I know you've been speaking to Lorenzo.”
Elena swallowed.
“Please leave my daughter out of this.”
Vivien laughed softly.
“Then cooperate.”
At that moment, Mia appeared in the doorway.
She wore her red skirt.
And held Captain Buttons.
Vivien turned.
Her expression changed.
She stared at the rabbit.
Then smiled.
“Hello, Mia.”
The little girl stepped backward.
Vivien crouched.
“What a pretty toy.”
Mia hugged the rabbit.
“No.”
Vivien reached toward it.
Mia screamed.
“NO!”
Elena rushed forward.
“Don't touch her!”
Vivien stood.
Her face hardened.
“You're making a terrible mistake.”
Then I entered.
“Am I?”
Vivien froze.
For the first time since I'd known her, she looked genuinely frightened.
“Lorenzo.”
I walked toward them.
Mia ran into my arms.
I lifted her.
She buried her face against my shoulder.
I looked at Vivien.
“Explain.”
She recovered quickly.
“Elena has been behaving strangely. I was trying to help.”
I stared.
“By threatening her?”
Vivien's smile vanished.
“What?”
“By threatening her child?”
Her face went pale.
I stepped closer.
“I heard you three months ago.”
Silence.
Vivien stared at me.
Then whispered:
“You don't understand.”
I looked at her.
“Then explain.”
She swallowed.
“Lorenzo, I love you.”
I shook my head.
“That's not an explanation.”
She looked toward the door.
I saw the calculation in her eyes.
Escape.
Denial.
Blame.
Then she smiled.
“You're making a mistake.”
I felt cold.
“Am I?”
She leaned closer.
“You have no idea who you're dealing with.”
I stared.
“Then tell me.”
Her voice dropped.
“My mother.”
I felt my jaw tighten.
“Cassandra.”
Vivien's eyes widened.
For the first time, she understood how much I knew.
May you like
Then she whispered:
“If you think my mother is dangerous, wait until you learn what your brother did.”
