The House She Stole Belonged to the Child

CHAPTER 3 - The Wife Who Wanted Everything

The following morning, Richard met Victoria in the presence of two attorneys.

She denied abusing Lily.

"She is an emotional child who resents our marriage."

Richard placed photographs of Lily's damaged hands on the table.

"She is eight."

Victoria claimed the forged trust document had come from Richard's former accountant. She also insisted Emily had promised her jewelry would pass to Richard's future wife.

Margaret entered carrying Emily's medical records.

"On the day that document was supposedly signed, my daughter was unconscious."

Victoria's composure cracked.

The investigation revealed she had hired a dismissed employee from Richard's company to copy Emily's signature. She planned to use the false amendment to obtain partial control of Lily's trust.

The missing jewelry had paid the employee.

But the house remained beyond her reach because the original deed was stored in Emily's archive.

That was why Victoria wanted the brass key.

Richard remembered every time she described Lily as disobedient, forgetful, or dishonest. Victoria had been preparing him to doubt his own daughter.

"You made me believe she was troubled."

"No," Victoria replied. "You were hardly here. You believed whatever allowed you to keep working."

The accusation was cruel, but it was not entirely false.

Richard had mistaken financial security for fatherhood. After Emily's death, he buried himself in work because home reminded him of everything he had lost.

Lily paid the price for his absence.

Victoria stood.

"If you divorce me, I will tell everyone you neglected your daughter. Your investors will abandon you."

Richard looked at his attorney.

"Include my travel records in the investigation."

Victoria blinked.

"You're willing to expose yourself?"

"I will not protect my reputation by hiding what happened to Lily."

He filed for divorce, removed Victoria from all accounts, and reported the forged documents and stolen jewelry.

Then Margaret revealed another discovery.

Victoria had contacted a private boarding school.

She planned to send Lily away immediately after gaining control of the trust.

The enrollment form already carried Richard's electronic signature.

He had never signed it.

Victoria had been only days away from removing Lily from her own home permanently.