That was it. She crossed the line one too many times.
I pushed the door open.
Victoria was kneeling at Millie's level, her hands on the child's shoulders. Millie stood rigid, her lower lip trembling, the certificate crumpled in her fist. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"That's enough." My voice came out clear and sharp.
Victoria rose slowly, releasing Millie like something distasteful. Her smile was cold. "Miss Cross. Eavesdropping? How very common."
"Get out of her room."
"Or what?" She tilted her head. "You'll run to Nathaniel? Again?"
"I don't need Nathaniel to handle you."
Surprise flickered in her eyes. She hadn't expected pushback. "How brave. How foolish." She stepped closer. "Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?"
"A woman who bullies children to feel powerful." I didn't step back. "Yeah, I've got a pretty clear picture."
Her smile turned sharp. "You think you know me? I've destroyed people with better credentials and bigger bank accounts than yours. I will ruin you. I'll make sure you never work in this city again. I'll take that sad little apartment and have it condemned."
I moved past her, putting myself between her and Millie. I knelt and took Millie's cold hands in mine.
"Millie, look at me. Nothing she said is true. I am here because I care about you. Very much. Do you understand?"
Her eyes, swimming with tears, searched my face. She gave a tiny, shaky nod.
"And you earned this…" I said, touching the crumpled certificate, "because you were brave and wonderful. That's the only truth that matters."
Victoria's laugh was brittle. "Cute stuff. But we both know how this ends. You'll leave, just like everyone else. And I'll be here to pick up the pieces."
I stood, facing her. "You won't be here to pick up anything. You're the one she needs protectingfrom."
The mask slipped completely. Hatred, pure and undistilled, contorted her beautiful features. "You're nothing," she hissed. "A temporary inconvenience. When I'm done, Nathaniel will toss you aside to save what's left of his reputation. You're?—"
"Claire?"
Nathaniel's voice came from the doorway. I don't know how long he'd been there, but his face had gone cold in a way I'd never seen.
Victoria spun, her mask already sliding back. "Nathaniel, thank God. I came to congratulate Millie and found Miss Cross quite upset?—"
"Stop." One word, but it cut through her performance. "Don't."
"Darling, I was simply?—"
"I said stop." He stepped into the room, and Victoria actually moved back. "I heard enough. And don’t ever call me your darling."
She recovered quickly, chin lifting. "You can't be serious. Because ofherword?"
"I'm serious because of my daughter's face." His voice was quiet, final. "Get out of this house. Now. Go to the club, a hotel, I don't care. You will not be under this roof tonight."
"Nathaniel—"
"Now."
For a long moment, they stared each other down. Then, with a last venomous glare that promised retribution, Victoria turned and strode out, her heels clicking a furious tempo down the hall.
The silence she left was thick and trembling. Nathaniel crossed the room and scooped Millie into his arms.
