Chapter 10 — The Housekeeper Finally Speaks
# The Stepmother's Lie
## Chapter 10 — The Housekeeper Finally Speaks
Daniel stood silently in his study after Victoria left the room.
The house had never felt so quiet.
A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
The door slowly opened.
Mrs. Evelyn Brooks stepped inside, nervously twisting her apron between her hands.
She had worked for the Carter family for twenty-three years.
She had watched Daniel grow from a young businessman into a husband and father.
More importantly...
She had promised Sarah something before she died.
Daniel immediately noticed her expression.
"Evelyn?"
"Is something wrong?"
Tears filled the elderly housekeeper's eyes.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Carter."
"I should have spoken sooner."
Daniel frowned.
"Spoken about what?"
She lowered her head.
"About Victoria."
The room became completely silent.
Daniel slowly sat down.
"Tell me everything."
Mrs. Brooks took a deep breath.
"She never wanted Lily in Mrs. Sarah's bedroom."
"At first she simply locked the door."
"Then she removed photographs."
"She threw away Mrs. Sarah's clothes."
Daniel's hands slowly clenched into fists.
"I thought those things were packed away."
Mrs. Brooks shook her head.
"No."
"I found them in garbage bags."
Daniel stared at her in disbelief.
"There was more."
Mrs. Brooks hesitated.
"Whenever you traveled..."
"Victoria would make Lily eat alone."
"She wasn't allowed to join dinner."
Daniel's face turned pale.
"And Lily never told me."
Mrs. Brooks smiled sadly.
"She didn't want you to be unhappy."
Daniel closed his eyes.
His daughter had protected him...
While he had failed to protect her.
Mrs. Brooks reached into her handbag.
"I've kept something."
She placed a small flash drive on the desk.
"I installed security cameras after Mrs. Sarah passed away."
"They recorded more than anyone realized."
Daniel looked at the flash drive.
"What does it contain?"
Mrs. Brooks whispered,
"The truth."
