Months passed quietly in the house. One hot afternoon, feeling unusually tired, Grace decided to head to her room to rest.
As she walked down the hallway, she passed by Victoria's bedroom. She was about to continue when she suddenly heard Victoria's voice from inside.
"Chriss… I just found out I'm pregnant."
Grace froze in her tracks. Her heart began pounding as she slowly turned toward the bedroom, careful not to make a sound.
Chriss's voice came from inside, warm but surprised. "Really? So what do we do now? Are you going to keep it?"
Grace's eyes widened. She pressed herself against the wall beside the door, straining to hear every word. Her mind raced with questions. Why was Victoria talking to Chriss about her pregnancy?
Then Victoria spoke again, this time with a much more serious tone.
"Chriss… I don't think we can keep this pregnancy. It won't be long before my husband comes back, and if he finds out…" She paused briefly. "It will be a problem. We have to get rid of it."
Grace's heart skipped a beat.
Chriss sounded worried. "Are you sure? But it's risky to get rid of it."
"I know," Victoria replied coldly. "But we don't have a choice. If my husband finds out, everything will fall apart. We have to take care of this before it becomes an issue."
Grace stood completely still, hardly believing what she was hearing.
Victoria was pregnant… with another man.
And they were planning to hide it before her husband discovered the truth.
So she's pregnant… with another man?
Grace slowly stepped away from the door, her hands tightening into fists.
And they want to hide everything.
A strange mixture of fear and anger filled her chest. She knew she had just discovered something dangerous.
I have to be careful.
She glanced back at Victoria's bedroom before quietly walking away.
This woman and her husband… one day, they will pay for what they did.
Her expression hardened. And I'll make sure Felicity knows the truth.
Grace paused for a moment before adding silently, But not yet. Not until the time is right.
She returned to her room and sat on the edge of her bed. Although her body was exhausted, her mind was wide awake. Too many thoughts were running through her head.
Victoria was hiding a secret. Chriss was involved. And somehow, Grace knew this secret could change everything. But for now, she would keep what she had heard to herself.
She had to protect Felicity. And she had to be smart.
The next morning, the sun was just beginning to rise over the house when Grace quietly prepared breakfast. The morning was peaceful, but Grace's thoughts were anything but.
Then Victoria appeared in the doorway.
"Grace."
Grace looked up.
Victoria's voice was calm but firm. "I'm not feeling well. I want to go to the hospital for a checkup."
Grace studied her carefully. For a brief moment, the previous night flashed through her mind.
So this is what she's doing.
But Grace quickly hid her thoughts behind a neutral expression.
"Of course, ma'am," she replied softly.
Victoria went to get ready. A short while later, Grace helped her into the car and carried the bag Victoria had packed.
"Thank you, Grace," Victoria said quietly as she settled into the seat. "Please make sure everything is ready at home while I'm gone."
Grace nodded. "Of course, ma'am."
As the car drove away, Grace remained standing at the doorway. She watched Victoria through the window until the car disappeared down the road.
Her heart was pounding.
She didn't know what Victoria had discovered at the hospital, but she knew one thing.
Today, nothing will go unnoticed.
A few hours later, Victoria returned home. She looked slightly tired, but she quickly composed herself and returned to her usual calm expression.
Grace met her at the door, carrying the things Victoria had requested while she was away.
"Everything is ready, ma'am," Grace said, handing them to her.
Victoria took the items and nodded. "Good. Make sure the children are settled. I'll check on them soon."
"Yes, ma'am."
Grace watched carefully as Victoria walked inside. Every step, every expression, every small gesture caught her attention.
Victoria eventually disappeared into her bedroom, unaware that Grace was watching her from a distance.
Grace lowered her eyes. I need to know what she's planning.
But she said nothing.
Not yet.
That evening, after Victoria had settled into her room, Grace went to check on Felicity.
The little girl was sitting in the living room, quietly playing with her toys while humming to herself.
The sight immediately softened Grace's heart. She walked over and knelt beside her, gently brushing a stray lock of hair away from Felicity's face.
"You're so beautiful, my little girl," Grace whispered.
Felicity looked up and smiled. "Grace, can we play?"
Grace smiled back. "Of course, sweetheart."
She picked up one of the little toys from the floor and joined her. For a few moments, everything else disappeared. There was only Grace and her daughter.
But even as she played, Grace's thoughts returned to Victoria. She knew the woman was dangerous, and now she knew Victoria was hiding an even bigger secret.
Grace wrapped an arm around Felicity and pulled her closer.
I will protect you, no matter what.
Her eyes softened as she looked at her daughter.
Nothing will happen to you while I'm here.
She gently kissed Felicity's forehead.
And one day… one day, you will know the truth about I'm real to you.
For now, she would keep her daughter safe.That was all that mattered.
Days turned into weeks, and life in the house continued as though nothing had changed. Victoria and Chriss carried on with their usual routines, completely unaware that Grace was watching them more carefully than ever.
Every word. Every meeting. Every suspicious glance.
Grace noticed everything.
Felicity and Isabelle continued going to school every morning, returning home with stories, laughter, and homework. Grace prepared their meals, helped them with their studies, and made sure they were safe.
Victoria often gave Grace orders and watched the children closely. Although she tried to hide it behind a smile, Grace could see the way Victoria treated Felicity.
She didn't like the little girl.
Grace noticed. She simply chose not to react.
She silently endured Victoria's behavior because staying close to Felicity was more important than anything else.
In the evenings, Grace would sit with Felicity. Sometimes they played together. Sometimes Grace read her stories. Other times, she simply listened as Felicity talked about her day.
Isabelle often joined them, although she sometimes tried to compete for Victoria's attention.
From the outside, the household looked completely normal.
But Grace knew better. There were secrets hiding behind those walls. Dangerous secrets.
And now, she was carrying one of them herself.
For now, we live quietly. Grace looked at Felicity sleeping peacefully one evening.
Carefully.
She gently pulled the blanket over her daughter.
But I will never forget.
Her eyes hardened with determination.
I will always protect my daughter.
No matter what happened.
No matter how long it took.
Grace would keep her vow.
Because she was a mother.
And a mother never stops protecting her child.