Chapter 5 - The Fall of the House of Mercer
The backlash was swift and merciless.
Within forty-eight hours, Vivienne’s political donors withdrew their support. The national party officially revoked its endorsement, calling her actions "repugnant and incompatible with the values of the party." Protestors gathered outside the gates of Mercer Manor, holding signs with scissors crossed out.
But Vivienne was not a woman to go quietly into the night.
A week before the election, Julian received a call from his mother’s personal attorney. She wanted a meeting at the estate. A "settlement" to resolve the estate and the pending lawsuits.
"It's a trap," Andrew warned as they prepared to leave. "She's desperate."
"I'm going with you," Mara said.
"Mara, no," Julian protested, his hand instantly finding hers. "It's too dangerous. The stress—"
"I was born in the shadow of that house, Julian," Mara said, her eyes flashing with a strength that left no room for argument. "I will not let you walk into it alone. Our child needs to know we finished this together."
When they arrived at Mercer Manor, the grand estate felt like a tomb. The staff had mostly fled, leaving the vast hallways empty and echoing.
Vivienne sat in the library, surrounded by half-packed boxes. The silver crane scissors sat on the desk in front of her, gleaming under the dim lamp. She looked older, the sharp lines of her face sagging under the weight of her sudden ruin.
"You've ruined us," Vivienne said as they entered, her voice devoid of its usual melody, now flat and bitter. "Sixty years of prestige, gone because of a girl from the docks."
"You ruined yourself, Mother," Julian said, standing protectively in front of Mara. "You chose cruelty over family. We are here for the signing of the transfer documents. The Narragansett land goes back to the Bell estate, and you withdraw all claims to my trust."
Vivienne laughed, a dry, rattling sound. She picked up the silver scissors, tracing the metal beak with her thumb. "And if I refuse? If I take this to trial and drag your bastard child through the mud for the next ten years?"
Mara stepped out from behind Julian. She walked directly to the desk, ignoring Julian's warning hiss. She looked down at the woman who had terrorized her family for decades.
"If you do," Mara said softly, "I will release the diaries. The ones from your husband. The ones detailing exactly how he died, Vivienne. I found them in the archive. He didn't have a heart attack in his sleep. He was trying to divorce you, and you knew it."
Vivienne’s hand froze. The silver scissors slipped from her fingers, clattering onto the mahogany desk. For the first time, absolute terror showed in her eyes.
"You... you wouldn't," Vivienne whispered.
May you like
"Try me," Mara said. "Sign the papers, Vivienne. Or the world will know exactly what kind of monster you really are."
With trembling hands, Vivienne reached for the pen.
