Secrets

Chapter 4

Seven years. Victoria stood before the lavish mansion she called home for nineteen years of her life. The home that had been filled with happiness, thanks to her father and misery, thanks to her mother. It was the home that her father had killed himself in. No more happiness.

Victoria sighed. "I should stay in a hotel."

Could she stomach staying in the house where her father had taken his own life? She glanced back just as the taxi sped off. Well, it looks like I'm staying. Shoulders dropping, she grasped the handle of her suitcase and pulled it toward the wrought iron gates. They swung open with a low creak. Victoria looked toward the camera she knew was hidden above the gate and smiled.

She walked up the long stone walkway feeling as if she was walking toward the gallows. Reaching the huge double doors, she stopped, not bothering to knock. Her presence on the property was already known, so she waited for the door to be opened.

"Miss Thornton!" A short, portly woman with a Swedish accent smiled brightly at Victoria.

"Oh, my stars, Lena." She walked into the woman's embrace. Her father had told her their housekeeper was still there, but she hadn't set eyes on the woman in years.

"Welcome home, my dear. Though, I wish it were a happier occasion." Lena's expression transformed from joyful to somber within seconds. "I'm sorry, Victoria."

Victoria swallowed the lump in her throat. She refused to burst into tears on the front step of her father's house. She would wait until she had privacy, then she would break down, again. She's done nothing but weep since receiving the terrible news.

"Thank you, Lena. How are you?"

The woman sighed. "I could be better." She stepped aside. "Come in, dear. I had your room prepared. I assumed you would want to stay in your old quarters." She looked at Victoria expectantly.

"Uh, yes that's fine, Lena. Thanks." The housekeeper reached for the suitcase. "Oh, no I got it, Lena. I'll show myself up."

"All right. As soon as you get settled come down for lunch. You're as thin as a pole, but still pretty." Lena gave Victoria a gentle pinch on the cheek.

Despite the unrelenting ache in her heart, Victoria couldn't help but smile. Lena had always tried to fatten her up. She's received more love and affection from the housekeeper than her own mother.

"Okay, I'll be down shortly." She wasn't hungry, hadn't been for two days but she didn't want to hurt Lena' feelings. Maybe she could force something down.

"Good, good. It is so good to see you again after all these years. Oh, Mrs. Thornton is upstairs waiting." Lena gave the younger woman a sympathetic look and walked off.

Great, she's waiting, Victoria thought sourly. Facing Marian was not something she was up for physically or emotionally at the moment. She's hoped she would have some time alone before having to face the steamroller that was her mother. Exhaling heavily, she trudged up the spiral staircase.

Victoria couldn't help noticing how quiet the place was. Where was everyone? She was used to the place being teamed with numerous indoor and outdoor staff. It just registered that the front yard was not immaculately manicured as usual. Her Mother was a stickler for appearance. And that meant her home was to be as flawless as she carried herself. She demanded that both the inside and outside of her home rival that of her neighbors. So, what had happened? Maybe Marian had changed over the seven years. Victoria snorted inwardly. I seriously doubt that. Instead of going to her room, she headed straight to her father's office.