part 7
PART 7
The police took Dominic through the front hall while he screamed Audrey’s name.
Not lovingly.
Like a man shouting at property being carried away.
“You will regret this!”
Audrey did not follow.
She stayed at the dining table while the officers led him past the family portraits and out the door.
Victoria sat stiffly, both hands gripping the arms of her chair.
Natalie cried without elegance.
Grace stood beside Audrey, quietly gathering the tray items into evidence sleeves.
The red bra went in last.
Natalie stared at it.
“So who is she?”
Audrey looked up.
“His assistant.”
Natalie’s face crumpled.
Victoria snapped, “This is not the time.”
Audrey turned toward her mother-in-law.
“When is the right time to learn your brother used you, your mother stole through you, and your family made you disposable?”
Natalie looked at Victoria.
“Mom?”
Victoria’s eyes hardened.
“Do not be dramatic.”
There it was.
The family language.
Drama.
Emotion.
Exaggeration.
Words used to make victims sound unstable and criminals sound tired.
Grace received a phone call and stepped away.
Audrey watched Natalie begin to understand her place in the Vance household.
She was not protected.
She was useful.
Just like Audrey had been useful when she smiled at galas and hid bruises under foundation.
Just like Dominic’s assistant had been useful until the hotel photo became evidence.
Victoria rose.
“I am leaving.”
Officer Bennett, returning from the hallway, stopped her.
“Mrs. Vance, detectives will need to speak with you.”
Victoria’s dignity cracked.
“I am not under arrest.”
“Not at this moment.”
That phrase hit the room with weight.
Natalie looked at Audrey.
“Did you know they were coming?”
Audrey touched the edge of her bruised eye.
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you warn me?”
Audrey stared at her.
“You watched him hit me.”
Natalie opened her mouth.
Closed it.
Then whispered, “I was afraid of him.”
Audrey’s anger softened for one second.
Only one.
“Then tell the truth now.”
Natalie looked at Victoria.
Her mother shook her head once.
A silent command.
Natalie looked at the tray.
Then at Audrey’s face.
Then at the camera above the sideboard.
“I signed what she told me to sign,” Natalie whispered.
“And Dominic said if I asked questions, he would cut me off.”
May you like
Victoria slowly sat back down.
Read the full story 👉 Natalie finally admitted she signed the fake invoices under pressure from Victoria and Dominic.
