Chapter 7 - The Woman Who Knew Too Much
Richard did not sleep.
He sat in his office until sunrise.
Three years of memories replayed in his mind.
Victoria appearing after Eleanor’s death.
Victoria knowing exactly what he needed.
Victoria becoming close to Maya faster than anyone expected.
At the time, he called it fate.
Now he wondered if it was preparation.
At breakfast, Victoria acted normal.
She poured coffee.
Read messages.
Smiled at him.
“You’re quiet.”
Richard looked up.
“Am I?”
“Yes.”
She tilted her head.
“Something wrong?”
He almost laughed.
The question was too perfect.
Too gentle.
“No.”
Victoria smiled.
“Good.”
She touched his hand.
“I hate seeing you stressed.”
Richard looked at her fingers.
The same hand that comforted him.
The same hand that may have frightened his daughter.
After breakfast, Richard called Maya’s nanny.
Mrs. Gable had worked for the family since Maya was born.
She was loyal.
Quiet.
Careful.
“Mrs. Gable, I need you to answer honestly.”
The older woman looked nervous.
“Yes, sir.”
“Has Maya ever acted afraid of Victoria before?”
Silence.
Too long.
Richard’s expression changed.
“Mrs. Gable.”
The woman sighed.
“I didn’t want to interfere.”
“Interfere with what?”
She looked down.
“Mrs. Vance told me Maya needed discipline.”
Richard felt his jaw tighten.
“She’s two.”
“I know.”
The nanny’s voice became softer.
“That’s why I worried.”
Richard leaned forward.
“What did she do?”
Mrs. Gable looked uncomfortable.
“She would close the nursery door.”
Richard went still.
“How often?”
“Almost every day.”
“What happened inside?”
“I don’t know.”
“You never checked?”
The question came out sharper than he intended.
The nanny flinched.
And immediately Richard regretted it.
Because she looked ashamed.
“I should have.”
The answer was quiet.
“I should have opened that door.”
Richard looked away.
Because he understood.
Fear did not always create villains.
Sometimes it created people who looked away.
That afternoon, Richard installed a hidden camera.
Not because he wanted to spy.
Because he no longer trusted what he could not see.
At 4:15 PM, Victoria entered the nursery with Maya.
Richard watched from his office.
At first, nothing happened.
Victoria played with toys.
Read a book.
Smiled.
Then the door closed.
The camera continued recording.
Five minutes passed.
Ten.
Then Maya moved away.
Victoria’s smile disappeared.
Richard leaned closer.
The woman on the screen looked completely different.
Victoria knelt in front of Maya.
Her voice was quiet.
Too quiet.
“You know what happens when you tell Daddy things?”
Maya shook her head.
Victoria smiled.
“People get hurt.”
Richard stood so quickly his chair fell backward.
“No.”
On the screen, Maya began crying.
May you like
And then Victoria said something that made Richard’s blood turn cold.
“Just like your mommy.”
