Chapter 6 - The Fiancée Who Kept His Wife Hidden
Police searched Victoria’s townhouse and found a locked medical room on the third floor.
Catherine was alive, weak but conscious, with years of falsified psychiatric reports attached to her name.
Richard fell beside her bed, but Catherine turned first toward Grace.
“You believed me.”
Grace took her hand.
“I believed you because I listened before asking whether your truth was convenient.”
Victoria insisted she had not imprisoned Catherine.
She claimed Margaret transferred her there and paid for private nursing care.
Catherine looked at her.
“You visited every month. You told me my sons had forgotten me.”
Victoria’s elegance collapsed into panic.
“I did what the Bellamys required. Women from families like mine do not survive by saying no to old money.”
Grace answered with cold fury.
“You had gowns, lawyers and choices. Do not borrow the suffering of powerless women to excuse what you did with privilege.”
Catherine revealed Victoria planned to marry Richard, gain control of the twins’ trust and have Catherine declared legally dead a second time.
The playroom incident was meant to frighten the boys, then blame Grace as an unstable caregiver.
Richard removed Victoria’s engagement ring.
“You stood beside me while my sons cried for the mother you hid.”
Victoria snapped, “Your family chose me because I understand loyalty.”
Catherine replied, “No. They chose you because cruelty never disturbed your appetite.”
Federal agents arrested Victoria, Margaret, Charles and Dr. Sloan.
For one moment, justice felt close.
Then investigators examined Catherine’s original marriage certificate.
Richard’s signature was valid.
Catherine’s was not.
The legal wife named on the certificate was Grace.
Grace stared at the page.
May you like
She had never married Richard.
But Margaret whispered, “You did. You simply were not allowed to remember.”
