Chapter 5: The Mother Who Lied
The lights returned three seconds later.
But the feeling inside the mansion had changed.
Victoria stood at the top of the staircase.
Still wearing her elegant evening dress.
Still perfectly composed.
But Samantha noticed something different.
Her mother was watching her.
Not with disappointment.
Not with annoyance.
With fear.
Alexander immediately stepped in front of Samantha.
Victoria noticed.
And her expression hardened.
“Mr. Hayes.””
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
“I didn’t realize you were staying this late.””
Alexander looked at her.
“I didn’t realize Samantha was being followed.””
Victoria’s face tightened.
“I have no idea what you mean.””
Samantha stared at her.
For the first time, she saw the woman behind the mask.
The perfect mother.
The wealthy socialite.
The woman everyone admired.
She looked smaller now.
More desperate.
Victoria slowly walked down the stairs.
“Samantha, come with me.””
“No.””
The answer came instantly.
Everyone froze.
Victoria stopped.
Because Samantha had never spoken to her like that.
“What did you say?””
Samantha held the document in her hand.
“I said no.””
Her voice shook.
But she didn’t move.
Victoria looked at Alexander.
“What did you tell her?””
Alexander’s expression remained cold.
“The truth.””
Victoria laughed softly.
“The truth?””
She looked at Samantha.
“You believe strangers over your own mother?””
Samantha felt pain hearing that word.
Mother.
Because for years she had wanted Victoria to act like one.
But now she understood.
The woman standing in front of her was not protecting her.
She was protecting herself.
“You never acted like my mother.””
The words came out quietly.
Victoria’s face changed.
“How dare you.””
Samantha looked at her.
“You made me sleep in a small room while Olivia and Charlotte had everything.””
Victoria said nothing.
“You made me work while they prepared for parties.””
Still silence.
“You told me I should be grateful just to live here.””
Victoria’s eyes narrowed.
“Because you were.””
Alexander looked at her sharply.
But Samantha didn’t cry.
Not this time.
“No.””
She shook her head.
“I was your daughter.””
The sentence hit harder than anything else.
For a moment, Victoria looked almost guilty.
Almost.
Then the expression disappeared.
“You don’t understand what you’re talking about.””
Samantha held up the document.
“Then explain this.””
Victoria looked at it.
And her face went pale.
Alexander noticed.
“You recognize it.””
Victoria said nothing.
“You know exactly what it is.””
Victoria turned toward him.
“You have no right to interfere.””
Alexander stepped forward.
“You’re wrong.””
His voice became colder.
“You spent twenty years lying to my family.””
Victoria laughed bitterly.
“Your family?””
She looked at Samantha.
“You think they care about her?””
Samantha froze.
Victoria continued.
“They care because of what she owns.””
The words hurt.
Because part of Samantha feared they were true.
Alexander immediately responded.
“That’s not why I’m here.””
Victoria smiled.
“Isn’t it?””
She looked at Samantha.
“Ask him.””
Samantha turned.
Alexander stayed silent.
And that silence created a tiny crack of doubt.
Victoria saw it.
She smiled.
“You see?””
She stepped closer.
“Everyone wants something from you.””
Samantha looked between them.
“Is that true?””
Alexander answered immediately.
“No.””
But Victoria interrupted.
“You want the inheritance.””
Alexander’s eyes hardened.
“I want justice.””
Victoria laughed.
“Justice?””
She walked toward the fireplace.
“You have no idea what happened twenty years ago.””
Samantha followed her with her eyes.
“Then tell me.””
Victoria stopped.
The room became silent.
For the first time, Samantha demanded answers.
Not asked.
Demanded.
Victoria slowly turned around.
“You want to know why I chose Olivia and Charlotte?””
Samantha nodded.
“Yes.””
Victoria looked at her.
“Because they were mine.””
The words were cruel.
Samantha felt like she had been slapped.
“What?””
Victoria continued.
“You were never supposed to be part of this family.””
Alexander’s expression changed.
“Victoria.””
But she ignored him.
“Your biological mother was weak. She died leaving behind a child and a fortune.””
Samantha’s eyes filled with tears.
“You took me because of money.””
Victoria looked away.
“I took you because I had no choice.””
“No.””
Samantha shook her head.
“You wanted something.””
Victoria said nothing.
And that silence confirmed everything.
Then a sound came from outside.
A car door closing.
Everyone turned.
Another person had arrived.
Victoria’s face changed instantly.
Fear.
Real fear.
The front door opened.
A man entered.
Older.
Weak.
Walking with a cane.
Samantha stared.
She had never seen him before.
But somehow…
she knew.
The man looked at her.
His eyes filled with emotion.
“Samantha.””
Her breathing stopped.
Because the man whispered:
“I’m sorry I couldn’t save you sooner.””
Alexander looked shocked.
Victoria stepped backward.
“No…”
The man looked directly at Victoria.
“You lied long enough.””
Samantha couldn’t move.
“Who are you?””
The man closed his eyes.
May you like
Then answered:
“I’m your father.””
