Victoria didn't rush. She stood up gracefully from the couch and walked away, leaving the voices behind her like an unpleasant echo. Her footsteps along the marble floor were soft… but they carried strength.
By the time she reached her bedroom, the tightness in her chest had turned into something sharper, not pain, but determination.
She locked the door gently.
The room was dim and calm, sunlight peeking through the curtains and casting a soft glow over her dressing mirror.
She walked toward it and stopped.
Her reflection stared back the same face, the same eyes, yet something inside had shifted. The girl in the mirror wasn't the fragile Victoria who had once believed every sweet lie Daniel whispered.
This version of her stood taller, this version of her had learned, this version of her wasn't going to let anyone break her again.
She placed her hand flat on the cool glass.
"They want to see me fall apart," she whispered to herself. "But I won't give them that satisfaction."
Her lips twitched into a faint, proud smile.
Let Mabel have the ring, let her have the man who lied and betrayed.
Victoria would have something better herself.
She crossed the room and opened her wardrobe. Her fingers brushed over the clothes until she found the outfit she wanted. bold, beautiful, and unapologetic.
A symbol that she was done hiding, done being silent, done letting others decide how her story would go.
As she changed, her heart beat to a new rhythm.
They tried to replace me…
But I will make it impossible for them to forget me.
Victoria slipped into her heels and lifted her chin high.
She would make them regret ever looking down on her.
She stepped out of her room, dressed in a beautiful lilac blouse and a black printed skirt, her aura giving off a sophisticated allure as she walked down the stairs calm, confident, untouchable.
"Mum, I'm heading out. I'll be back before dusk."
Without waiting for a response, she elegantly walked out the door, not sparing her cousin or aunty a single glance.
Less than thirty minutes later, a sleek black Mercedes parked at the entrance. Dennis stepped out of the car and approached the large brown doors of the Montess Mansion, his expression unreadable.
The bell chimed, and moments later, the butler appeared. Opening the door, he came face to face with Dennis.
"Good morning, sir. How may I be of help to you?" he asked politely.
I'm here to see Victoria," Dennis said.
"Ma'am, Victoria just stepped out not quite long ago."
Dennis's brows furrowed. "Did she say where she was headed?"
"Let me ask my mistress." The butler disappeared into the house.
While he went inside to ask for her whereabouts, Dennis took out his phone and dialed her number. Once. Twice. Again, not reachable.
Panic crept into his chest as he kept dialing, each attempt met with the same response.
The doors opened yet again, but this time it was Victoria's mother.
"Good day, dear. How may I help you?" she asked warmly.
Not wanting to alarm her unnecessarily, Dennis took a deep breath before responding.
"Good morning, ma'am. I'm here to see Victoria."
"Oh dear, do come in," she said gently, stepping aside. "But she's out at the moment. She mentioned she'd be back before dusk."
Dennis hesitated. "Did she tell you where she went?"
"No, dear. She only said she'd be back before dusk."
"I see." He forced a small smile. "I'll check back later. I just wanted to stop by and make sure she was okay."
"That's very kind of you," she replied. "I'll inform her when she returns. May I know your name?"
"Dennis, ma'am."
"Dennis...?"
"Oh right ,Dennis Tobie." he said
"Okay, dear. I'll let her know," Victoria's mum said. "Would you like to come in for some tea?" she asked once again.
"Thank you, ma'am, but I'll be on my way."
"That's fine. Hope to see you soon," she said warmly.
"Sure," Dennis replied.
He turned and walked back to his car. The engine roared to life, and moments later, the vehicle disappeared down the road. Victoria's mum watched until it was out of sight before retreating into the house.
Inside the car, Dennis dialed Victoria's number again. Not reachable.
His jaw tightened. He tried once more. Then again. Same response.
"Come on, Victoria," he muttered, gripping the steering wheel.
He drove through the familiar parts of town first, her favorite café, the small bookstore she seldomly visits, the quiet park she went to when she needed space. He slowed down at every turn, scanning faces, checking entrances.
Nothing.
Each unanswered call weighed heavier than the last. Panic crept deep into his chest, spreading fast, tightening his breathing. Worry was written all over his face like an open wound. Still, he refused to think the worst, not yet.
He was told she said she'd be back before dusk.
But instinct screamed otherwise.
After checking every place he could think of, Dennis made a sharp turn and headed straight for the police station.
Meanwhile…
The soft hum of conversations and clinking cutlery filled the downtown restaurant.
Victoria sat across from Sofia, her posture calm, but her eyes sharp, too sharp for someone simply having a talk.
"You're sure about this?" Sofia asked, a smirk curling up her face.
Victoria stirred her drink slowly, her expression unreadable. "I'm done being in the dark. I need answers."
"And if those answers come with trouble?"
Victoria's lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile. "Then I'll deal with it."
Sofia studied her for a moment. "You know you're walking straight into danger, right?"
"I know," Victoria replied evenly. "But some doors don't open unless you're brave or reckless enough to knock."
She glanced at her phone. No missed calls. No messages. Unreachable.
Good.
Whatever she was about to uncover, she couldn't afford distractions. Not now.
Victoria straightened in her seat, resolve settling deep in her chest.
If danger was the price for the truth, she was ready to pay it.