Chapter 4 - The Grandmother's Rules|
Vivien Ellery had always believed that a family survived by maintaining its reputation.
She had learned that lesson from her husband, a man who considered weakness a disease and affection something best expressed through expensive gifts.
When Marcus married Evelyn, Vivien had accepted her because Evelyn came from an established family.
When Evelyn died, Vivien had taken over the household arrangements because Marcus had been too devastated to make decisions.
And when Lily stopped speaking, Vivien had decided that the problem required discipline.
Not cruelty, she would have argued.
Structure.
Routine.
Professional intervention.
That was how she explained the locked playroom, the strict meal schedule, and the rule that Lily was never allowed to leave the property without an approved adult.
Norah saw something different.
She saw a child who flinched whenever someone reached toward her unexpectedly.
She saw a girl who hid behind curtains whenever the house phone rang.
And she saw a grandmother who confused obedience with healing.
The next morning, Norah entered the breakfast room and found Vivien waiting.
"Sit down."
Norah remained standing.
"Is Lily all right?"
"She's with Dr. Harlan."
"She was crying when I left her."
"Children cry."
"Not like that."
Vivien placed a folder on the table.
"Your employment agreement."
Norah recognized the document.
"What's wrong with it?"
"I've added a confidentiality clause. You will not discuss Lily's medical history with outsiders. You will not photograph her drawings. And you will not contact specialists without my permission."
Norah stared at her.
"Mr. Ellery hired me to care for Lily."
"Marcus is grieving. He has made several questionable decisions."
"Then you should discuss that with him."
Vivien's expression hardened.
"You are a temporary employee, Miss Bellamy. Don't mistake a child's affection for authority."
Norah closed the folder.
"I won't sign this."
Vivien slowly lifted her teacup.
"Then you may leave."
Norah felt the familiar pressure in her chest.
Her mother's hospital bill.
The unpaid rent.
The job she desperately needed.
She thought about the small yellow dress hanging in Lily's wardrobe.
Then she pushed the folder back.
"I'll discuss it with Marcus."
Vivien's smile disappeared.
"You have no idea what you're stepping into."
"Maybe not."
"Your previous employer dismissed you."
Norah froze.
"How do you know?"
"People make inquiries."
The Delaneys had never told her they would provide a reference. They had also never explained why they had withheld her wages.
Vivien continued.
"Your mother has medical expenses. Your circumstances are not exactly comfortable. It would be unfortunate if you lost this opportunity."
Norah understood.
The woman wasn't merely insulting her.
She was threatening her.
"Is that why you hired me?"
Vivien looked away.
"Marcus hired you."
"Because Lily chose me?"
"Because Marcus is desperate."
Norah felt the words land.
Before she could answer, the door opened.
Marcus entered.
He looked from his mother to the folder.
"What's going on?"
Vivien smiled.
"Norah has concerns about her employment agreement."
Marcus picked it up.
He read the additional clauses.
His expression darkened.
"Who added these?"
"I did."
"Without asking me?"
"I'm protecting this family."
Marcus closed the folder.
"Then start by respecting the person I hired."
Vivien stood.
"You're allowing a stranger to interfere with Lily's treatment."
"I'm allowing Lily to have a voice in her own care."
"She doesn't have one."
Marcus looked toward the hallway.
"That's what we're trying to change."
Later that afternoon, Norah accompanied Marcus to the security office.
They requested footage from the day of Evelyn's accident.
The technician brought up the exterior cameras.
A black vehicle entered the driveway at 7:42 p.m.
A woman exited.
Marcus leaned forward.
"That's Evelyn."
The woman walked toward the front entrance.
Lily followed her, holding a yellow rabbit.
Then another vehicle appeared behind them.
A second black SUV.
The footage became grainy.
But Norah noticed something.
The driver didn't park.
He simply waited.
And when Evelyn came back outside twenty minutes later, the SUV followed her.
Marcus stared at the screen.
"Who is that?"
The technician enlarged the image.
The license plate became visible.
May you like
Marcus went completely still.
It belonged to a vehicle registered to his mother's private security company.
