Chapter 4 - Victoria’s Performance Falls Apart
Victoria clasped both hands in front of her chest.
“Valerie, sweetheart, please. This family has disagreements. We don’t bring police into private matters.”
I kept the phone to my ear.
“This stopped being private when he threw something at me.”
Robert finally spoke.
“Diego was emotional.”
I turned to him.
“You watched him do it.”
His mouth closed.
The operator asked if the person who assaulted me was still in the room.
I looked directly at Diego.
“Yes,” I said. “He is standing in front of me.”
Diego’s face darkened.
“Hang up the phone.”
Natalie’s voice cut in again.
“Diego.”
He looked at her like he could not believe anyone in his own family had dared block him.
She did not move.
That was when I realized Diego had never feared consequences at home because consequences had never been allowed to enter the room.
Victoria handled them.
Robert softened them.
Relatives buried them.
Dinner continued.
Reputations survived.
Women adjusted.
Not that day.
The doorbell rang less than five minutes later.
The sound moved through the mansion like a verdict.
A maid hurried toward the foyer, then froze when she saw two officers through the glass.
Victoria whispered, “Think about what you’re doing.”
“I am.”
Diego gave a sharp laugh.
“You’ll regret this.”
I looked at him, phone still raised.
May you like
“You have absolutely no idea what I’m capable of.”
For once, he had no answer ready.
