Weeks passed. School was difficult. Letters blurred. Numbers confused her. But she tried. A classmate named Lily befriended her. A tutor stayed late to help her read.
Victoria rearranged meetings, canceled trips. Claire grew colder, resentful of the attention Maya received.
One afternoon, Claire accused Maya of stealing an expensive bracelet she had secretly hidden in the girl’s drawer. For a split second — just one — doubt flickered across Victoria’s face.
That moment shattered something fragile inside Maya.
But that night, Victoria reviewed the security footage.
It showed Claire planting the bracelet.
The next morning, Victoria fired her.
Claire didn’t leave quietly. Soon, Victoria’s company faced investigations. Accounts were frozen. Board members questioned her leadership. Claire had been building influence for years.
To protect Maya, Victoria temporarily placed her in foster care. But the girl ran back.
“I don’t want safety without you,” Maya cried.
Victoria realized she couldn’t protect her from behind mansion walls. So she made a choice.
She walked away from the mansion, the luxury, the boardroom.
They moved into a modest apartment downtown. Two bedrooms. No fountains. Just peace.