Chapter 8 - THE FIANCÉE WHO CHOSE THE WRONG SIDE
Victoria arrived at the estate wearing sunglasses.
She looked exhausted.
Damian waited in the morning room.
Clara sat beside the window.
An attorney was present.
Damian placed the security report on the table.
“Your access code was used.”
Victoria stared.
“I didn't set the fire.”
“Then explain.”
She swallowed.
“My father asked for the code.”
Silence.
Damian's expression hardened.
“Why?”
“He said he needed to retrieve something from the old storage rooms.”
Clara stared.
“You gave him access to the estate?”
Victoria looked at her.
“I didn't know he would hurt anyone.”
Damian leaned forward.
“Did you know about Joanne Hughes?”
Victoria's eyes filled.
“Yes.”
Clara felt cold.
“How much?”
Victoria looked down.
“My father told me she stole documents from Richard Costello.”
“And?”
“He said she tried to blackmail them.”
Clara shook her head.
“My mother was protecting a child.”
Victoria looked up.
“I know that now.”
Damian's voice was cold.
“When did you learn?”
She swallowed.
“After I saw the ledger.”
Silence.
Clara stared.
“You saw it?”
Victoria nodded.
“My father showed me copies years ago.”
Damian stood.
“You knew.”
Victoria began crying.
“Damian, I was young.”
“You're thirty-eight.”
“I didn't understand.”
He looked at her.
“You understood enough to warn Clara.”
She covered her face.
***
Victoria admitted that her father had pressured her to gain access to Damian's business records.
Their public relationship had been encouraged by both families.
Edward Kensington wanted influence over the Costello companies.
Victoria wanted Damian.
And she'd convinced herself those desires could coexist.
But when Clara appeared, everything changed.
The ledger threatened her father.
Clara threatened the story Victoria had built around her future.
And Damian's attention shifted toward a woman Victoria had dismissed as invisible.
***
Damian listened.
Then said:
“You need to cooperate with investigators.”
Victoria looked up.
“You're turning me in?”
“I'm telling you to tell the truth.”
She stared.
“After everything?”
Damian's expression softened slightly.
“Victoria, we were never engaged.”
Her face crumpled.
“I loved you.”
He looked down.
“I know.”
She whispered:
“Did you ever love me?”
Damian was silent.
Then:
“No.”
The answer hurt.
But it was honest.
***
After Victoria left, Clara stood beside the window.
Damian approached.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded.
“Mostly.”
He looked toward the garden.
“I should have seen what was happening.”
Clara shook her head.
“You can't control everyone.”
He smiled sadly.
“I spent years trying.”
She looked at him.
“And?”
May you like
He met her eyes.
“I'm beginning to understand how little that accomplished.”
