. CHAPTER 6 — The Luncheon Becomes a Trial
By sunset, the charity luncheon had become the story no guest could stop whispering about.
Phones buzzed across the county. People who had come to be seen with Vivian Cole now called attorneys, publicists, and drivers. No one wanted their name near a child endangerment investigation.
Vivian remained at the estate because security would not let her enter the family wing, and Grace would not let her leave with documents. She sat in the drawing room, posture rigid, makeup flawless except for the faint cracks near her eyes.
When Marcus returned from the hospital late that evening, Lily stayed with a nurse and two trusted staff members upstairs. He walked into the drawing room alone.
Vivian stood immediately. “How is she?”
He did not answer.
“Marcus, I know you hate me right now. But we can survive this. Couples survive worse.”
“We are not a couple,” he said.
Her face tightened. “I am your wife.”
“Not for long.”
The words took the air from the room.
Vivian’s voice dropped. “Be careful. You are angry, and angry men make expensive mistakes.”
Marcus almost laughed. “You pushed an eight-year-old girl into a pool in front of witnesses and hidden cameras. Don’t talk to me about mistakes.”
She moved closer, lowering her tone to the intimate register she had once used to calm him after nightmares about Amelia’s death. “You need me. You don’t know how to run the foundation without me. You don’t understand social donors. You don’t know which board members are loyal.”
Marcus looked at her with exhausted clarity. “I know which child is mine.”
Grace entered with two officers behind her. Vivian’s eyes widened.
Marcus said, “The police are here for your statement.”
Vivian straightened. “I want my attorney.”
“You should.”
One officer stepped forward, professional and calm. No theatrics. No shouting. Just consequences.
As they escorted Vivian out through the front doors, staff lined the hallway in silence. The same staff she had threatened, insulted, and underpaid for years.
At the threshold, Vivian turned back toward Marcus. “She will ruin you. Children like her drain everything.”
Marcus’s voice carried through the hall.
May you like
“No, Vivian. People like you do.”
The doors closed behind her, and for the first time in years, the Glass House Estate felt like it could breathe.
