Chapter 5 - The Woman in White
Ethan placed the agreement flat on the table.
"This wasn't one bad decision. You kept making it."
"Victoria wanted certainty before the wedding."
"And what did you want?"
Walter looked away.
"For everything to stay settled."
Ethan opened the door.
"Leave. Dana will contact you."
"I'm your father."
"Then you know exactly how much this cost me."
At the elevator, Victoria appeared in her wedding dress beneath a beige coat. Rain had stained the hem. She carried her phone, her purse, and the calm expression she'd used to settle arguments for years.
Ethan stayed between her and Olivia's hallway.
"You can't go in there."
"I'm here for you."
"I'm not available."
She glanced at Walter. He couldn't meet her eyes.
"What did you tell him?"
Ethan held up the photograph of the agreement.
For the first time, her calm slipped.
"You don't understand what she did to this family."
"You mean she stayed alive?"
Two nurses looked over. Victoria lowered her voice.
"She took money and left you. I stayed. I helped you build your company. I sat with you when you couldn't sleep."
"Because you told me she was dead."
"Because she was never coming back."
Ethan stared at her until she looked away.
"Who wrote the letter?"
"What letter?"
"The one with my signature."
She tightened her fingers around her purse strap.
"We should talk somewhere private."
"Send your explanation to my attorney."
Behind him, Lucy returned with Mrs. Alvarez. A paper cup trembled in her hand when she saw the bride.
Victoria's gaze went straight to the envelope beneath Lucy's arm.
"Those are private financial documents."
Lucy held them tighter.
"They're my mom's."
"Lucy," Ethan said gently, "go with Mrs. Alvarez. I've got this."
Victoria took one step forward. He stayed where he was.
A nurse approached.
"Is there a problem?"
"Ms. Bennett hasn't invited this visitor," Ethan said. "Could you check her wishes?"
The nurse did. Then she asked Victoria to leave the floor.
Victoria looked at Ethan one last time.
"Ask your precious Olivia why she kept quiet even after the checks stopped."
The elevator doors closed around her.
Ethan turned toward Lucy.
May you like
She had heard every word.
"They didn't stop," she said. "Another one came yesterday. Mom cried when she read the note."
