Chapter 626

Isabella clutched Victoria's shoulders with trembling hands. "Mother, you must do this for me! Take the blame and everything will be fine. You've always protected me—just one last time!"

Victoria stared into her daughter's desperate eyes, the weight of decades of poor choices crushing her chest. She'd spent a lifetime clearing obstacles for Isabella—arranging the theft of Nathaniel's savior identity, securing her position as the Lancaster heiress. She'd turned a blind eye to every transgression.

Now karma had come knocking.

The bitter truth settled in her bones—she'd molded this monster with her own hands.

And now that monster was about to destroy her.

"I carried you for nine months... How can you be this cruel?"

Isabella collapsed to her knees, grasping Victoria's skirt. "I have no choice! If you truly love me, you'll do this. Disappear for me, Mother. Please!"

A broken laugh escaped Victoria's lips as she absorbed the depth of her daughter's betrayal.

It was over.

She should have seen this coming when Theodore died. Some secrets demanded blood as payment.

Victoria closed her eyes.

Across town, Harrison returned from the hospital with her newborn. Though physically recovered, her mind reeled—Theodore had died saving her, but something felt terribly wrong. The pieces didn't fit.

She turned to Margaret. "Where's Victoria?"

Margaret's tear-swollen face twisted in rage. "That witch murdered my son! I'll see her burn in hell!"

Just then, Henry Lancaster entered. "Harrison."

Her gaze turned glacial. "Victoria tried to kill me. Theodore took the knife."

Henry nodded grimly. "I know."

"Do you also know Isabella was involved?"

Confusion flickered across his face. "What?"

"She entered the ward with Victoria. While her mother attacked me, she did nothing to stop it!" Harrison's voice sharpened with accusation.

Henry's expression hardened. "Isabella is my daughter."

Nathaniel stepped forward, his arm protective around Harrison. "That makes you responsible for holding her accountable. Blood doesn't excuse crimes."

A heavy silence fell.

Harrison pressed on. "Take me to Victoria. I need answers about Theodore."

"She's secured in the east wing," Henry said evenly. "Come."

As they approached the guarded room, Harrison's pulse quickened. The guard unlocked the door.

"Victoria's inside," Henry confirmed.

Harrison stepped forward, calling out, "Victoria, I need to know why Theodore—"

Her words died.

Victoria lay motionless in a crimson pool, her skull shattered against the marble wall.

Harrison's breath caught. She rushed forward, fingers pressing against Victoria's cold wrist. Nothing. No pulse. No life.

Nathaniel and Henry stood frozen in shock.

"She's gone," Nathaniel confirmed quietly.

With Victoria's last breath, every secret died. Every truth vanished.