Victoria’s jaw tightened. “Fine. You want to play hardball? We’ll play. Gerald will be furious when he sees how you’re treating us.”
I tilted my head. “He’s inside.”
Her face flickered. For the first time, she looked unsettled.
I stepped back from the doorway, opened it wider, and gestured in. “Come in,” I said calmly. “If you’re willing to explain, in front of him, why you told me he approved something he didn’t approve.”
Victoria froze for half a second, calculating.
Then she lifted her chin and walked inside like the house was already hers.
Paige followed, rolling her suitcase over my entry rug.
My father rose from the sofa when they entered. He looked like a man bracing for impact.
Victoria’s voice sweetened instantly. “Darling, there you are. Bonnie’s just overwhelmed. She needs reassurance.”
My father didn’t move. “Victoria,” he said slowly, “did you tell Bonnie I agreed you could move in?”
Victoria smiled, a practiced curve. “Of course you did. We talked about it.”
His brow furrowed. “No. We didn’t.”
A stillness fell over the room, as sharp as broken glass.
Victoria’s eyes widened just slightly, then narrowed. “Gerald,” she warned softly, “don’t embarrass me.”