Chapter 2 — The Secret Victoria Buried
Nathan demanded answers.
Victoria poured herself a glass of wine before speaking, as though discussing interior decorating instead of a frightened child hidden underground.
"Six years ago," she began, "you donated millions to the Harrington Children's Foundation."
Nathan nodded.
"So?"
"There was a woman working at one of the shelters."
Her name was Emma Collins.
A young social worker.
Kind.
Quiet.
She admired Nathan—not because he was rich, but because he actually listened to children.
Victoria had noticed.
Jealousy had done the rest.
She hired private investigators.
Followed Emma.
Read every message.
Found nothing.
There had never been an affair.
But Victoria didn't need proof.
She only needed suspicion.
Months later Emma disappeared from the shelter.
Everyone believed she had accepted another job overseas.
That wasn't true.
Victoria had offered Emma money to leave.
When Emma refused, Victoria destroyed her reputation with forged accusations.
Emma lost her career.
Lost her apartment.
Lost everything.
She died of pneumonia two winters later while living in a temporary shelter.
Nathan's face drained of color.
"And Lily?"
Victoria looked at the little girl without emotion.
"Emma's daughter."
Nathan stared.
"You've kept a six-year-old child locked in this basement because you hated her mother?"
Victoria's answer chilled the room.
"I wasn't punishing the child."
"I was protecting my family."
Before Nathan could speak, Lily quietly reached into the pocket of her worn sweater.
She handed him an old photograph.
Nathan froze.
The picture showed him kneeling beside Emma during a children's fundraiser.
In his arms...
...was a newborn baby.
Written on the back in Emma's handwriting:
Thank you for giving my daughter hope today. One day she'll know kindness still exists.
Nathan remembered that day instantly.
Emma had asked him to hold Lily for one photograph because she wanted to tell her daughter she had once met someone who believed every child deserved a future.
May you like
Nathan had forgotten the picture.
Lily never had.
