Chapter 259
Chapter 259:
“No.” Victoria shook her head. “I’m not in the business of forgiveness. I’m here to make sure Camille is protected when I’m gone.”
Margaret straightened in her chair. “Protected from Rose, you mean?”
“From Rose. From opportunists who will see her as Victoria Kane’s inexperienced heir. From her own tendency to see the best in people who don’t deserve it.” Victoria coughed, a harsh sound that left her breathless for a moment. When she continued, her voice was rougher. “I need to know if you’ll stand with her. Truly stand with her, no matter what.”
“Of course I will.” Margaret sounded offended by the question. “She’s my daughter.”
“She was your daughter when Rose manipulated her. When Stefan betrayed her. When she tried to tell you the truth and you chose not to believe her.” Victoria’s eyes were cold. “Being your daughter wasn’t enough to protect her then.”
Margaret flinched but didn’t look away. “I’ve learned from my mistakes.”
“Have you?” Victoria pressed. “If Rose appeared tomorrow with tears and a convincing story, would you welcome her back? Would you urge Camille to forgive her again?”
The question hung between them. Margaret’s hands trembled slightly as she clasped them in her lap.
“No,” she said finally, her voice firm. “Never again. Rose tried to have my daughter killed. No mother could forgive that.”
Victoria studied her face, looking for any sign of deception. Finding none, she nodded slowly. “Good. Because Rose will return. People like her always do. And when she does, Camille will need people who see clearly. Who won’t be fooled by whatever mask Rose wears next.”
“I won’t be fooled,” Margaret promised. “Neither will Richard. We’ve read the journals. We’ve seen the evidence. We know who Rose really is now.”
Victoria felt a wave of pain wash through her body. She closed her eyes briefly, waiting for it to pass. When she opened them, Margaret was watching her with concern.
“You need medical attention,” Margaret said. “I’ll call—”
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“No,” Victoria’s voice was sharp. “I’ve seen every specialist worth seeing. There’s nothing more to be done.” She took a shaky breath. “Which is why this conversation is so important. I’ve made legal arrangements for Camille. Financial provisions. But money and power aren’t enough. She’ll need family. Real family.”
“We want to be there for her,” Margaret said softly. “We’ve been trying to rebuild our relationship. It’s slow, but…”
“There’s no more time for slow,” Victoria cut her off. “I need your promise now. That you’ll support Camille unconditionally. That you’ll stand with her against Rose, against anyone who tries to use her or hurt her.”
Margaret’s chin lifted slightly. “I promise. I should have made that choice years ago.”
Victoria nodded, some of the tension leaving her body. “And Pierce? What do you think of him?”
“He clearly loves her,” Margaret said. “And she loves him. They seem good together.”
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