Chapter 4 - The Secret in the ClosetThe police secured the lockbox.
Sarah stood quietly in the corner, her hands trembling.
Mark noticed.
“How long have you been afraid of her?”
Sarah looked down.
“Months.”
Victoria had threatened her.
She had accused Sarah of stealing jewelry.
She had threatened to destroy her reputation.
She had even warned that she could make Sarah disappear from the estate without anyone asking questions.
But Sarah had kept watching.
And waiting.
Because she knew Lily was in danger.
“She kept small glass vials in her purse,” Sarah whispered.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because she said she'd make sure I went to prison.”
Mark closed his eyes.
He suddenly remembered every moment he had dismissed.
Every bruise.
Every frightened silence.
Every time Lily had refused to be alone with Victoria.
He had mistaken fear for childish rebellion.
And now he understood.
Victoria had not entered his life by accident.
She had studied his family.
She had studied his grief.
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She had waited until he was vulnerable.
Then she had stepped into the empty space Clara left behind.
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