Chapter 2 - VIVIAN'S VERSION
I let Vivian into the gatehouse.
Not the mansion.
She complained anyway.
"This is ridiculous."
"Then leave."
She stayed.
Margaret sat across from her with both hands around a mug she was not drinking from.
I waited.
Vivian spoke first.
"Your mother hit me."
I laughed.
Margaret did not.
My laugh died.
Vivian pulled back her sleeve.
There was a yellowing bruise on her forearm.
"She threw a saucepan at me last week."
Margaret said, "After you grabbed Oliver."
Vivian snapped, "He was having a tantrum."
"You shook him."
"I held him."
"You shook him."
I looked at Margaret.
"Mom."
She swallowed.
"I threw the pan."
That was not the story I wanted.
I wanted one villain.
One victim.
Something easy enough to punish before breakfast.
Vivian leaned forward.
"Your mother is not helpless."
"I never said she was."
"You act like it."
Margaret flinched.
Vivian saw it and pushed harder.
"She also fell because she tried to carry both children downstairs after I told her not to."
"Then where did the wrist marks come from?"
Vivian looked away.
"I grabbed her."
"Why?"
"Because she was leaving."
My voice went quiet.
"You physically stopped my sick mother from leaving my house?"
Vivian's mouth tightened.
"Ryan told me not to let her take the children."
There it was.
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"Where is Ryan now?"
Vivian did not answer.
My phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
A woman said, "Mrs. Bennett? This is First Hudson Bank fraud prevention."
My married name.
"We need to confirm whether you authorized a home-equity application on your primary residence."
I looked through the window at the house across the street.
The mortgage was in my name.
Paid almost entirely with my money.
"I did not."
The woman paused.
"Then you need to speak with our investigations team immediately."
I stared at Vivian.
She whispered, "Ryan said you agreed."
The mansion was no longer the thing making my hands shake.
May you like
My husband had tried to borrow against the house while I was out of town.
