Chapter 1 - THE BOUQUET HIT THE FLOOR
The bouquet fell from Ethan Carter’s hand the second he saw his daughter crying at the kitchen sink.
A newborn was pressed against Lily’s chest, one tiny arm trapped beneath her trembling elbow. Lily was only nine years old. Her face was wet with tears, and her bare feet stood in a puddle of spilled water.
Victoria stood behind her, one hand gripping the girl’s shoulder.
“Keep washing,” Victoria snapped. “Your father doesn’t need to see you standing around.”
Ethan froze in the doorway.
Then he saw the bruises around Lily’s wrist.
“Get away from my daughter!”
Victoria’s hand dropped.
The baby began to cry.
Lily turned quickly, trying to shield the infant with her body.
“Dad…”
Ethan crossed the kitchen in three steps and pulled Lily away from the sink.
“What are you doing carrying the baby?” he demanded.
Victoria lifted her chin.
“She offered to help.”
“She’s nine years old.”
“She’s old enough to follow instructions.”
Ethan looked at the sink. A pile of dirty bottles sat beside sharp knives, burning water, and a pan covered in grease. Lily’s fingers were red and swollen.
His anger changed into something colder.
“How long has she been doing this?”
Victoria gave a small laugh.
“Don’t start acting dramatic. You work all day. You don’t know what happens in this house.”
“I know what I’m looking at.”
Lily clutched his shirt.
“Dad, please don’t make her mad.”
Ethan slowly looked down at his daughter.
“Why are you afraid of her?”
Lily’s lips trembled, but before she could answer, Victoria stepped forward.
“Because you spoil her. She knows how to manipulate you.”
Ethan stared at the woman he had married eight months earlier.
He had trusted Victoria with his home, his daughter, and his newborn son.
But now Lily was shaking like a prisoner.
“What has she been making you do while I’m away?” Ethan asked softly.
Lily looked toward the hallway.
Victoria’s face went pale.
Then the baby stopped crying.
From upstairs came a loud crash.
Ethan turned toward the sound.
Victoria whispered, “Don’t go up there.”
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That was the first moment Ethan understood there was more than one secret in his house.
And whatever was upstairs, Victoria was terrified he would find it.
