Chapter 2
In her sprawling bedroom at the end of the east wing, little Lily stood on a velvet footstool in front of a full-length mirror. At five years old, she looked like a delicate porcelain doll. Her long golden-blonde curls cascaded over her shoulders, framing a pale, rosy-cheeked face with big, expressive blue eyes. She wore a magnificent pale-yellow princess gown adorned with tiny embroidered flowers and layers of delicate tulle ruffles that puffed out around her knees. Atop her head sat a sparkling silver tiara, and on her feet were matching yellow silk shoes.
Her small, fair hands were not resting in her lap, however. She was clutching a tiny pink floral handbag with a polished gold clasp tightly against her chest, her knuckles white with strain.
"Miss Lily, sweetie, you can leave the purse on your vanity," her nanny said gently, holding out her hand. "Your father will be upstairs in a moment to take you down to the ceremony."
"No!" Lily squeaked, her voice trembling as she pulled the small handbag even closer, burying it beneath the tulle ruffles of her gown. Her big blue eyes filled with sudden, terrified tears. "I have to keep it with me! I promised!"
"Promised who, darling?" the nanny asked, stepping closer with a comforting smile. "Is it a secret toy?"
Before Lily could answer, the bedroom door swung open. Victoria stood in the doorway, her white satin gown rustling loudly against the doorframe. Her sharp blue eyes immediately locked onto the child, her gaze dropping straight to the pink floral handbag.
"Leave us for a moment," Victoria instructed the nanny, her tone icy and devoid of the warmth she displayed around Daniel.
The nanny hesitated, glancing at the frightened child. "Ma'am, Mr. Daniel asked that—"
"I said leave," Victoria snapped, stepping into the room. The nanny bowed her head quickly and hurried out, closing the heavy doors behind her.
Lily shrank back on the footstool, her yellow princess gown rustling as she squeezed the handbag tighter against her ribs.
Victoria walked slowly toward the five-year-old, her high heels sinking into the plush carpet. The warm, luxurious lighting of the room cast harsh shadows across her sharp features. "What do you have there, Lily?" Victoria asked, her voice dropping into a low, predatory murmur.
"It's mine," Lily whimpered, her lower lip trembling as tears spilled over her rosy cheeks. "Mommy gave it to me before she went to sleep."
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Victoria’s eyes narrowed into slits of pure hatred. "Your mother is gone. And whatever you took from her private safe this morning doesn't belong to a child." She reached out a slender, manicured hand, her long nails hovering inches from the gold clasp. "Give it to me. Now."
"No!" Lily cried out, ducking away from Victoria's reach and scrambling off the footstool. She bolted past the bride, her tiny yellow shoes slapping against the polished hardwood of the hallway outside.
