CHAPTER 2: The Truth Hidden Behind Closed Doors
The next morning, Alexander sat silently in his office.
The mansion was quiet.
Too quiet.
On his desk was a folder.
Inside were photographs.
Security footage.
Messages.
Everything his private investigator had collected overnight.
His hands tightened.
For months, Victoria had been humiliating his mother.
She removed Margaret's access to the main kitchen.
She forced her to eat separately.
She moved her bedroom to the basement.
She even told the servants not to speak to her.
And Margaret never told him.
Because she was afraid of ruining his marriage.
Alexander closed his eyes.
The woman who had sacrificed everything for him was suffering under his roof.
And he didn't know.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
Margaret entered slowly.
"Alexander?"
He stood immediately.
"Mom."
She smiled sadly.
"You shouldn't be angry with Victoria."
He looked at her in disbelief.
"She hurt you."
Margaret shook her head.
"She is still your wife."
"That doesn't matter."
Alexander's voice trembled.
"You matter."
Those words broke something inside Margaret.
For years, she had hidden her pain.
But now her son finally saw it.
"I didn't want you to choose between us," she whispered.
Alexander walked closer.
"You never should have had to compete for my love."
A tear rolled down Margaret's face.
"I just wanted you to be happy."
Alexander hugged his mother.
And at that moment, he made a decision.
Victoria was going to learn the difference between having power...
And abusing it.
That evening, Victoria returned from a luxury shopping trip.
She walked into the mansion expecting Alexander to apologize.
Instead, she found her belongings packed.
Her smile disappeared.
"What is this?"
Alexander stood near the staircase.
Calm.
Cold.
"The beginning of the consequences."
Victoria laughed.
"You're seriously doing this because of her?"
Alexander looked at her.
"No."
He paused.
"I'm doing this because of who you became."
Victoria's face hardened.
"You can't divorce me."
Alexander handed her a document.
She opened it.
Her expression slowly changed.
A divorce agreement.
And beside it...
Evidence of everything she had done.
"You investigated me?"
Alexander's eyes were emotionless.
"I trusted you."
He stepped closer.
"You betrayed that trust."
Victoria's confidence began to disappear.
"Alexander, think carefully."
She lowered her voice.
"You need me."
He shook his head.
"No."
May you like
He looked toward the basement.
"Your mistake was believing my mother was powerless."
