Chapter 22: Sisters in the Winter Garden

The Whitmore winter garden smelled of orchids, expensive soil, and old lies.

Scarlett had loved that room as a child. Her mother had once grown white roses there, saying delicate things were not always weak. After her mother's death, Evelyn replaced the roses with rare flowers imported from Europe. Beautiful, cold, and rootless.

Victoria arrived wearing ivory and confidence.

'You look terrible,' she said sweetly.

Scarlett touched the bruise on her cheek. 'Honesty from you. How refreshing.'

Victoria's smile tightened. 'I came because you sounded desperate.'

'Maybe I am.'

Scarlett lowered her gaze, letting her shoulders curve inward. She hated performing weakness, but Victoria had always loved an audience.

'Alexander cannot protect you forever,' Victoria said, stepping closer. 'Powerful men get bored of broken toys.'

Scarlett looked down at her hands. Hidden beneath her bracelet, a tiny recorder captured every word.

'Did you send Marcus Vale?'

Victoria froze for half a second.

'Who?'

'The man who attacked me.'

Victoria laughed, but it came too late. 'Scarlett, you always were dramatic.'

'He worked for your mother.'

'Many people worked for Mother.'

'He said a woman paid for the accident.'

This time Victoria's face changed. Not guilt exactly. Fear.

Scarlett leaned forward. 'Was it you?'

Victoria's eyes flashed. 'Do you honestly think I needed to kill you to take your place? Look at yourself. The accident did that for me.'

Pain struck, but Scarlett held still.

Victoria bent closer, voice low and cruel. 'You want the truth? Everyone was relieved when you stopped being perfect. Father, Ethan, society. You became easy to pity and easier to replace.'

Scarlett swallowed the hurt like medicine.

'And my mother's ring?'

Victoria's lips trembled with rage. 'You stole that moment from me.'

'It was never yours.'

'Everything becomes mine eventually.'

Scarlett smiled faintly. 'Thank you.'

Victoria narrowed her eyes. 'For what?'

The garden doors opened. Grace Bellamy stepped inside with Alexander behind her.

Scarlett lifted her wrist and revealed the recorder.

'For reminding the court exactly who you are.'