The Woman They Tried To Kill

CHAPTER 3 - THE LETTER IN HER MOTHER'S HAND

Nathan locked the drawing room door.

For the first time that night, Eliza felt safer with a door shut than open.

Her hands shook as she broke the seal. Marta stood near the fireplace, silent and watchful. Charles remained by the window, not daring to come too close. Nathan stayed beside the sofa, close enough to catch her again if the room tipped.

The letter was short.

Eliza, if you are reading this, I have failed to protect you from an old mistake. Charles did not leave us by choice. Vivian paid his debts and forced him out of our lives. She said she was saving her family name. I stayed silent because I was afraid of what she could do to us both. If Nathan is the man I believe he is, trust him. But be careful. Daniel knows more than he says.

Eliza read it twice.

Then a third time.

Nathan exhaled hard. "My mother kept your father away from you?"

Vivian, standing outside the door now and pounding once with the flat of her hand, called out, "Nathan, open this door."

He ignored her.

Marta's voice came quietly. "Miss Eliza... on the landing, before you fell, Mr. Daniel was there."

Eliza looked up. "Was he the one who grabbed me?"

Marta swallowed. "I saw him reach for you. But I cannot swear if he pushed or tried to stop you."

That changed everything.

Nathan opened the door before Vivian could pound again. "Where is Daniel?"

No one knew.

They found him in the library, standing beside the drinks cabinet with a glass he hadn't touched. His face was white.

"I didn't push her," he said before anyone asked.

"Then why run?" Nathan demanded.

Daniel looked not at his brother, but at Eliza. "Because I knew no one would believe me."

Eliza stepped forward, the blanket still around her shoulders like armor. "Then tell me what happened."

Daniel's throat worked. "I followed Mother upstairs because I heard her threatening you. I got there just as someone came out of the side hall. Mother grabbed your wrist. I reached for you. Then the light went out for one second and you were over the rail."

Nathan turned sharply. "Someone else was there?"

Daniel nodded.

"And I know who," he said.

But before he could speak, all the lights in the library died.

From the dark hallway came the shattering sound of glass, and Marta screamed.

"I didn't push her."