"Because I know exactly who sent that message…
and this is going to get worse if I don't stop her."
All this while, Owen had been standing at the door. His demeanor shifted in an instant. Without warning, he barged into the room and snatched the phone from her hands.
"Stay the fk away from my sister. I won't be nice next time."
"Owen, what the—"
"Not a word," he snapped. "You're coming with me. Now." He grabbed her hand and pulled her along with him.
"Owen.. Owen, please. Listen to me. You need to calm down."
"Calm down?" he barked, spinning to face her. "Stay calm, you say? Someone out there is threatening your life and I should be calm? I knew he was bad news the moment I saw him. I don't even know who's worse between him and Daniel."
"Owen, I..." Her words were cut off as the front door opened.
"Welcome, ma. Welcome, sir," the maid said as she answered the bell.
Both siblings exchanged a silent look, Victoria pleading with her eyes for him not to say a word.
"Mum, Dad, welcome back home," Victoria said quickly, slipping her hand out of Owen's grip. "How's Aunt Molly?"
"Oh, she's doing perfectly fine," her mother replied with a warm smile. "She even asked after you."
"Then I'll go see her tomorrow. I completely forgot her birthday is coming up."
"That would be splendid," her mum said, then shifted her gaze to Owen. "Darling, I thought you'd be resting right now. You know staying up late isn't good for your health." She scolded him gently and waved her hand dismissively. "Go on, both of you. There's no need to come welcome us."
"I… we..." Owen started, but Victoria jumped in.
"We actually came to get some water," she lied smoothly.
All the while, their father watched them quietly, taking in every detail.
"Darling, go back to the bedroom first," he said to his wife. "Owen, to the study. And Vic, get your water, and make sure you rest early." His tone made it clear he was helping her cover things up.
Inside the study…
"Do you need an invitation," his father asked, swirling gently in his chair, "or will you tell me what's going on?"
"Victoria's mixing with a bad guy, someone who's threatening her life" Owen said, his tone sharp and unpleasant.
"What?" His father's eyes widened. "Since when did you find out?"
"Well…" Owen sat down and explained everything to his father, not leaving out a single detail.
Twenty minutes later…
"And that was why you saw us in the hallway not long ago" he concluded. "I knew he was bad for her. I didn't like him from the onset."
Mr. Montess exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples. "I can't make a judgment from only your side of the story Owen. But rest assured, she'll remain at home until I make a decision."
Owen wasn't thrilled with that answer, but it still felt like a small victory, as long as Victoria was safe.
"I'll be in my room then" he said quietly, before leaving the study.
The next morning arrived smoothly… but not without trouble knocking at the door.
Mabel and her mother showed up, bringing trouble wrapped neatly in gift bags and boxes.
As the maids welcomed them inside, Victoria who was lounging on the couch in the sitting room instantly lost her peace. Her heart dropped. If only she had stayed in her room, she thought. Now she has to deal with these two.
"What a pleasant surprise!" Victoria's mum said as she approached her sister with a bright smile. Though they had hurt her daughter, she couldn't hold grudges forever. Family ties were complicated, and feelings weren't something anyone could force.
Mabel's mother hugged her sister and dropped a polite, perfunctory greeting to Victoria. "Hello, Victoria. We thought we'd come by this morning." Her tone was light, unconcerned — but tense, just beneath the surface.
Mabel stepped forward, holding a glossy gift bag in one hand. She moved slowly, carefully, as though every gesture was part of a performance. Her eyes locked on Victoria — too calm, too calculating.
"Victoria," she said softly, with a fake sweetness, "I… I came to apologise. For everything that happened between us." She lifted the bag as if presenting a peace offering.
Victoria's mother brightened, relief, maybe hope, in her face. "Isn't that thoughtful, dear?"
But Victoria didn't reach for the bag. She stayed still. Her eyes were cold calm.
Because she saw the ring.
Mabel caught the light just right as she tilted her hand and there it was, the ring on her finger. A gleaming engagement ring.
Slowly, deliberately, Mabel raised her hand higher. "Oh," she said, her voice soft, amused. "I wasn't going to mention it yet… but since you noticed…" She paused, let the silence stretch long enough to hurt. "I'm getting married. To Daniel."
Her words fell like ice.
Victoria's mother's face dimmed. She knew this was bound to happen she just didn't expect it today oh her poor baby girl.
Mabel's mother smiled delighted. "Yes! That's why we're here. We wanted you to hear it from us first."
But Mabel's eyes didn't stay on her mother. They stayed on Victoria. Hungry. Expectant.
Victoria felt a jolt, not of pain, but anger. Betrayal. The kind that doesn't scream, but sinks cold and deep.
She forced her shoulders to relax, even though her hands trembled slightly in her lap.
She looked directly at Mabel. Her voice calm. Quiet. Controlled.
"Congratulations," Victoria said. "I hope he treats you better than he treated me."
There was a brief flicker, a crack in Mabel's perfect smile.
Just enough for Victoria to know she'd stirred something.
Her mother reached out, putting a hand on Mabel's arm. "Come on! dear, Let's..."
"I made snacks" Victoria's mum said cutting her sister off. Let all go have some. She glanced at her daughter feel guilty.
Mabel took a breath, nodded politely. The maids took over the gift bag and boxes, moving into the sitting room to arrange them.
Victoria didn't move. She watched them unpack, folding her arms loosely.
Inside, she felt a strange calm, like a storm had just broken, and she was standing, soaked but steady, watching its rain fall away.
Not wounded. Not broken. Just… done.
Because she refused to give Mabel what she came for, the satisfaction of seeing her hurt.