Chapter 20
The peace we were slowly building was abruptly shattered a month later. The criminal investigation into Victoria’s child abuse was gaining serious momentum, and the grand jury was preparing to hand down formal indictments. Desperate, humiliated, and facing the terrifying reality of prison time, Victoria made a highly erratic and dangerous move.
Lily and I were at the local grocery store on a Tuesday evening, picking out ingredients to make homemade pizzas. We were laughing in the produce aisle, debating the merits of pineapple on pizza, when a sharp, hysterical voice cut through the background music.
"You think you can just destroy my life and walk away playing the happy family?!"
I spun around, instantly stepping in front of Lily to shield her. Victoria stood at the end of the aisle, completely unhinged. Her hair was a messy rat's nest, her expensive clothes were disheveled, and she reeked of cheap alcohol. She looked absolutely nothing like the pristine, terrifying queen who used to rule our home. She looked entirely pathetic.
"Victoria, step back right now," I warned, my voice echoing loudly in the quiet store. Several shoppers stopped in their tracks, pulling out their cell phones.
"You stole my house! You froze my bank accounts!" Victoria screamed, pointing a trembling, manicured finger at me. Then, her crazed eyes locked onto Lily hiding behind my shoulder. "And you! You little manipulative brat! I should have locked you in that basement and thrown away the key permanently!"
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Lily grabbed the back of my jacket, trembling violently.
"Do not speak to my daughter," I roared, the fierce, protective instinct completely taking over. I pulled out my cell phone and immediately dialed 911. "I have an active restraining order against this woman, and she is currently violating it in a public space."
