— When I was about three, I think. But I didn’t like it when she touched me. Her hands were always cold.
Michael felt the pieces of the puzzle forming a terrifying picture. Victoria entered Ellie’s life when the girl was three. What happened to Ellie’s real mother?
That day, he took Ellie to see Hope as promised. The two girls played in the small living room of Hope’s apartment while Michael talked to Mary, Hope’s mother.
— Mr. Sterling, — Mary said, making coffee. — Forgive me for overstepping, but I’ve seen a lot in my life. That little girl of yours has been through something terrible. You can see it in her eyes.
— What do you mean?
— Children who have been mistreated have a certain look. My Hope had it when her father left us. But Ellie has the look of someone who was told to stay quiet to survive.
Michael felt Mary had hit the nail on the head.
— Do you think someone was hurting her?
— Not physically, — Mary said thoughtfully. — But there are ways to hurt a child that don’t leave marks on the skin. That woman you mentioned—your wife. Have you seen how she interacts with Ellie?
Michael thought of every time he’d seen Victoria with Ellie. The coldness, the distance, the impatience. Never true tenderness.
— Mary, can I ask you a huge favor? My wife is coming back tonight, and I have a feeling it might be dangerous for Ellie. Could Ellie stay here with you tonight?
Mary’s eyes filled with immediate understanding.
— Of course, Mr. Sterling. Children are always welcome in this home.
When he explained to Ellie that she’d be having a sleepover with Hope, the girl was so excited that Michael knew he’d made the right choice.
— Really? Like a pajama party?
— Yes, sweetheart, just for tonight. I’ll come get you tomorrow.
Hope jumped for joy.
— We’re going to stay up all night and talk!
As he left, Michael gave Ellie a long hug.
— Ellie, always remember I love you more than anything, no matter what.
— I love you too, Daddy. Is everything okay?
— Everything is going to be fine, princess. I promise.
At 6:30 PM, Michael was waiting in the living room of his estate when he heard Victoria’s car pull up. Mrs. Gable had been given the night off, leaving them alone for the conversation that would change everything. Victoria walked in with her usual elegance, carrying designer luggage and smelling of expensive perfume.
At 32, she was still a beautiful woman, but Michael now saw something cold and calculating in her green eyes that he’d never noticed before.
— Where’s Ellie? — was the first thing she asked.
— At a friend’s. Victoria, we need to talk.
She looked at him with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
— Yes, we certainly do. But first, I need Ellie to take her medicine. Where are her pills?
Michael felt his blood run cold.
— What pills, Victoria?
— Don’t play dumb, Michael. The pills that keep her calm, that keep her from making embarrassing scenes or saying things she shouldn’t.
— What things, Victoria?
— Things Ellie shouldn’t be talking about.
Victoria kicked off her heels and poured herself a glass of red wine from the bar.
— Things about her real mother, for instance. Things about what really happened three years ago.
Michael felt the ground shift under his feet.
— What happened three years ago, Victoria?
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