CHAPTER 6 – THE SECRET IN THE THERAPY FILES
CHAPTER 6 – THE SECRET IN THE THERAPY FILES
Three days later, Whitmore House was quieter than a funeral.
Victoria had been removed from the estate.
Vanessa and Edward had moved into the guest wing under Alexander's orders.
And Oliver had barely spoken since his confession.
Alexander sat in Iris's therapy room while Grace organized colored blocks and balance bars.
"You don't have to do this alone anymore," he said.
Grace gave a small smile.
"I'm used to doing things alone."
"I don't want you to be."
The words escaped before he could stop them.
Grace looked at him carefully.
"Alexander..."
"I mean with the girls," he corrected, though they both knew he meant more.
A knock interrupted them.
Marcus entered holding a thick medical folder.
"Sir, we found something in the archived therapy records."
Alexander took the folder.
The cover read:
Iris Whitmore – Neurological Evaluation
Confidential
Inside was a report dated eight months earlier.
Alexander's eyes narrowed as he read.
"This can't be right."
Grace stepped closer.
"What is it?"
He handed her the page.
Her face went pale.
"Iris was expected to walk months ago?"
"According to this specialist, yes."
The report stated that Iris's condition was mild and that intensive daily exercises should have produced significant progress within three months.
Instead, the therapist had documented repeated interruptions.
Exercises canceled.
Sessions shortened.
Child distressed before therapy.
Progress inconsistent due to home environment.
Alexander flipped to the final page.
A handwritten note was attached.
"I am concerned that someone in the household is discouraging the child's mobility development. Iris becomes fearful whenever she attempts independent standing. She repeatedly says 'Grandma says no.'"
Grace covered her mouth.
"Oh my God..."
Alexander's hands shook.
"She wasn't just cruel."
"She was stopping Iris from learning to walk."
Marcus cleared his throat.
"There's one more thing."
He placed a second document on the table.
It was a bank transfer authorization.
$250,000
Recipient: Lauren Pierce
Authorized by: Victoria Whitmore
Date: One week before the bracelet incident.
Grace frowned.
"Why would she pay the other nanny that much?"
Marcus answered quietly.
"Because Lauren Pierce wasn't hired to care for Iris."
"She was hired to replace you."
Before anyone could speak, the therapy room door burst open.
Oliver stood there, breathing hard.
"I have to tell you something."
Alexander rose slowly.
"What is it?"
Oliver looked at Grace.
"My mom wasn't the one who told me to sabotage the walker."
The room went still.
"What?" Alexander asked.
Oliver swallowed.
"She told me Grace needed to leave."
"But Grandma..."
His voice broke.
"Grandma told me Iris would never get better if Grace stayed."
"She said Grace was filling Iris's head with impossible dreams."
"She said if Iris fell and got scared, she'd stop trying to walk."
Grace's eyes filled with tears.
"She used you," she whispered.
Oliver nodded miserably.
"I didn't know she meant to hurt Iris."
Alexander felt a rage so cold it frightened him.
His mother had manipulated a child.
Sabotaged therapy.
Framed Grace.
And nearly caused Iris to suffer a serious injury.
He looked at Marcus.
"Where is she?"
"At the Whitmore estate in Scotland."
Alexander nodded once.
"Prepare the jet."
Grace stepped forward.
"Alexander..."
"No."
His voice was deadly calm.
"My mother spent two years teaching my daughter to be afraid of walking."
"Now she's going to learn what happens when I'm no longer afraid of the truth."
Upstairs, Iris laughed as Clara chased her across the nursery.
For the first time, the sound didn't break Alexander's heart.
May you like
It gave him a reason to fight.
And Victoria Whitmore had no idea what was coming.
