Chapter 3 - The Nest of Wolves
Victoria Vance stepped into the kitchen, her presence instantly turning the air brittle. She was Arthur’s older sister, dressed in a flawless cream Chanel suit, her diamond rings catching the light. She looked exactly like the mansion—expensive, polished, and completely devoid of warmth.
She stopped short when she saw the scene before her: her brother sitting on a barstool looking undone, and a strange girl sitting on the floor holding the heir to the Vance fortune.
"What is the meaning of this?" Victoria demanded, her eyes narrowing as she locked onto me. "Arthur, why are you home? And who is this person? Where is Elena?"
"Elena is in the hospital, Victoria," Arthur said, his voice regaining its corporate edge, though it lacked its usual indifference. "This is her sister, Clara. She covered the shift."
Victoria scoffed, walking over to the counter and dropping her designer leather handbag onto the granite. "A temporary maid? Sitting on the floor like a guest? Arthur, this is exactly why we need proper, professional staff from the agency. Look at Leo, he looks completely overwhelmed. Let the girl pack her things and leave. I’ve already contacted the Branswick Academy in Geneva. They have an opening for him starting the first of the month."
"No," Arthur said. The word was quiet, but it cut through the room like a blade.
Victoria blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean, no? Arthur, we agreed. The boy hasn't spoken a word in twenty-four months. He’s becoming a liability to the family image, not to mention the trust fund structures. The board is already whispering about your ability to run the firm while managing a... broken child."
"He isn't broken," Arthur said, standing up. He walked over to the floor where we were sitting, knelt down beside us, and looked directly into his son's fearful eyes. "Tell your aunt what you told me, Leo."
Leo pressed harder against me, hiding his face entirely. The silence returned, heavy and suffocating.
Victoria let out a cold, triumphant laugh. "Arthur, you're delusional. The stress is getting to you. He didn't say anything. He can't say anything. Now, girl, get up and leave before I call security for trespassing."
I looked at Arthur. I saw the desperate, drowning hope in his eyes, and I saw the toxic, calculated cruelty in his sister’s posture. I didn't care about the job anymore. I cared about the little boy whose heart was beating like a trapped bird against my chest.
"He told me his elephant's name is Humphrey," I said, my voice steady, ringing clearly through the kitchen.
Victoria froze. Her perfect facade cracked for a split second, a look of pure, venomous panic flashing across her features before she smoothed it over. "That's absurd. He doesn't know that name. You're lying to keep your sister's job."
"I'm not lying, Miss Vance," I said, standing up slowly, keeping Leo safely balanced on my hip. "He spoke to me. He laughed. He’s not mute because he can't speak. He’s mute because he’s terrified of this house."
Victoria took a step toward me, her hand raised as if to strike me, her face contorted with rage. "How dare you—"
"Victoria!" Arthur roared, stepping between us, his massive frame completely blocking his sister from view. "Touch her, or say one more word to my son, and I will have security remove you from this property permanently. Clara stays. As of this moment, she is hired as Leo’s private caregiver. Name your salary, Clara."
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"Five times whatever the agency charges," I said, looking around Arthur's shoulder straight at Victoria. "And she is never allowed near him without his father present."
Arthur didn't even hesitate. "Done. Victoria, leave my house."
