Chapter 12 - Victoria Had One Final Secret
Victoria remembered the call perfectly.
Martin told her Anna was threatening to send Daniel’s records to federal investigators.
He asked where Anna lived.
Victoria refused to tell him.
Then he said he already knew.
“He told me to stay out of it,” Victoria whispered.
Emma stared.
“And you did?”
Victoria’s voice broke.
“Yes.”
“You knew he was dangerous.”
“Yes.”
“You knew my mother had evidence against him.”
“Yes.”
“And you did nothing?”
Victoria cried.
“I was afraid.”
Emma stood.
“So was my mother.”
Victoria had no answer.
Richard looked disgusted.
Claire, who had quietly entered the room, looked at Emma.
For the first time since throwing the coffee, she spoke directly to her without defensiveness.
“I’m sorry.”
Emma looked at her.
“For what?”
“For treating you like you were beneath me.”
Claire swallowed.
“I didn’t know any of this.”
“That’s not why what you did was wrong.”
Claire’s eyes lowered.
“No.”
Emma appreciated that answer.
No excuse.
No attempt to make ignorance into innocence.
Richard returned to Victoria.
“You spent twenty-four years protecting yourself from guilt.”
Victoria whispered, “I know.”
“No. You spent twenty-four years calling it protection.”
Victoria cried harder.
Emma looked at the woman who was both her aunt and one of the people who had shaped her entire life without permission.
“I don’t forgive you.”
Victoria nodded.
“I understand.”
“But I want you to testify.”
Victoria looked up.
“Against Nathan?”
“Against everyone.”
Victoria’s face changed.
Emma continued.
“My mother spent her life carrying evidence because people with money expected her to disappear.”
She placed Anna’s statement on the desk.
“She doesn’t disappear again.”
May you like
Victoria finally nodded.
And for the first time, Emma believed she might tell the truth even if it destroyed her.
