CHAPTER 12: The Mother’s Silence
Adrian’s mother, Victoria Blackwood, arrived at the mansion in a navy dress and pearls, looking more annoyed than alarmed.
She had built her entire life on family image. Her son’s secret courthouse marriage had embarrassed her before the world even knew it existed. Naomi, in Victoria’s mind, was not a victim. She was an inconvenience wrapped in a soft voice and a pregnant body.
When Victoria entered the library and saw Naomi sitting there, she did not ask if she was hurt.
She asked, “How much will it take?”
Naomi stared at her.
Mrs. Delaney stepped back in disbelief.
Victoria placed her purse on the table. “I’m not cruel, Miss Brooks. I’m practical. The child can be provided for privately. You can live comfortably somewhere else. Adrian can avoid a public scandal.”
Naomi stood slowly.
“My name is Mrs. Blackwood.”
Victoria’s face tightened.
Before she could respond, Adrian appeared in the doorway.
He had heard everything.
For a moment, he looked like the boy Victoria had raised to obey family duty. Then his expression hardened into the man she had underestimated.
“Did you know Celeste forged the divorce?” he asked.
Victoria looked away.
That was answer enough.
Adrian stepped into the room.
“You let me believe Naomi abandoned me.”
“I let you survive,” Victoria said. “You had investors circling. You had a merger collapsing. You had a woman showing up pregnant and emotional—”
“My wife,” Adrian said.
Victoria’s mouth closed.
Naomi watched the mother and son face each other across a room built by old money and older fear.
Then Adrian removed his mother from the Blackwood family trust.
He did it with one phone call.
May you like
Victoria’s pearls trembled against her throat.
And Naomi realized the mansion was finally beginning to lose its ghosts.
