Chapter 5 - THE MESSAGE IN THE DRAWER
The next morning, Adrian found an envelope hidden in the back of Viviana's dressing-room drawer. It contained printed messages between Viviana and a man named Peter Sloane, her older brother. The messages discussed Damian's estate, the upcoming marriage, and a proposed change to the Hollis family trust.
One message read: Once the wedding is done, the guardianship language can be revised. He trusts me with Grace. We only need the right report.
Another said: The girl is becoming difficult. Lara is making it worse. I'll handle both.
Damian read the messages in his study while his attorney took notes.
“What report?” he asked.
“We don't know yet,” Adrian replied.
His attorney pointed to an attachment. It was a draft letter from a private child psychologist, claiming Grace had severe behavioral problems and needed a residential treatment program.
“The letter is unsigned,” the attorney said. “But the psychologist's name is real.”
The psychologist confirmed that Viviana had contacted the office twice, asking about an assessment and whether a guardian could authorize treatment without the other parent's participation. No appointment had been made.
Damian's stomach tightened. Viviana had not simply been trying to control Grace's behavior. She had been building a case to remove her from the home.
Later, he found Grace in the library, drawing a picture of three people holding hands.
“Who are they?” he asked.
“Me, Lara, and you.”
“Where is Viviana?”
Grace's crayon stopped. “Do I have to draw her?”
“No.”
“Then I don't want to.”
Damian sat beside her. “You don't have to pretend to like someone who frightened you.”
Grace leaned against his arm. “Will you still marry her?”
“No.”
“Because she hit Lara?”
“Because she hurt people and lied about it. And because she made you feel unsafe.”
Grace looked at the drawing. “Can Lara stay?”
“That's up to Lara. But she is welcome here.”
That afternoon, Damian met with the private psychologist. The man was visibly uncomfortable when shown the draft letter.
“I never assessed Grace,” he said. “I told Ms. Sloane that no responsible professional would recommend residential treatment without a full evaluation.”
“Did she ask you to write this?”
“She asked for a template. I refused.”
The psychologist agreed to provide a statement.
When Damian returned home, Viviana was waiting in the foyer with a suitcase.
“You've been investigating me,” she said.
“I've been protecting my daughter.”
“You've let a servant poison your mind against me.”
“Lara didn't write your messages.”
Viviana's face changed. For a moment, the mask fell completely.
“You have no idea what it takes to manage that child,” she snapped. “She cries, she refuses food, she asks for her mother. I was trying to make this house function.”
“Grace is a child, not a problem to be managed.”
Viviana lifted her suitcase. “This isn't over.”
“No,” Damian said. “The authorities will contact you.”
She left through the front doors. Damian watched the car disappear, then turned toward the staircase.
Grace stood at the top, holding her stuffed rabbit. “Is she gone?”
“Yes.”
“Forever?”
“For now, you are safe. The adults will handle the rest.”
May you like
Grace nodded and came down the stairs. She did not ask another question.
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