The Rift Begins

"Victoria," Daniella's voice broke the quiet in the living room. She sounded very angry. "We need to talk. Now." Victoria looked up from the couch, feeling scared by Daniella's fierce expression. She hadn't seen Daniella since the funeral, and the tension was still there. Victoria had hoped things would get better, but Daniella looked even angrier. "Daniella," Louis said carefully, stepping in front of her. "Maybe this isn't the right time." Daniella shot him a fierce look. "No, Louis. It has to be now." She turned back to Victoria, fists clenched. "You've taken enough from us. I won't let you act like nothing happened." Victoria stood up, feeling her nerves rise. "I'm sorry, Daniella. I never wanted this. Please believe me." Daniella scoffed her face hard. "Do I? Because I only see the reason my father is dead when I look at you. He died trying to help you." "That's not fair," Louis said, trying to calm things down. "Dad made his choice. He wanted to help because he knew the truth. Don't twist this." "Oh, I'm not twisting anything," Daniella yelled. "Malcolm was alive until he got involved with you," she pointed at Victoria, anger on her face. "I wasn't even here! I didn't get to say goodbye because I was stuck in Scotland!" Tears filled Victoria's eyes, but she stood strong. "I never wanted Malcolm to do what he did. I didn't want anyone to get hurt-especially him." Daniella laughed bitterly. "No, you just wanted to save yourself. My father paid the price." Louis stepped closer, trying to touch Daniella's arm, but she pulled away, frustrated. "Daniella, stop. You know that's not true. Dad wanted to help her because it was right." "Of course, you'd side with her," Daniella snapped at Louis. "You always do. Since this started, you've only cared about Victoria being the victim. What about Dad? What about us?" Louis's jaw tightened. "We're all hurting, Daniella. But blaming Victoria won't bring Dad back." Daniella glared at Victoria. "I don't want your pity or your apologies. I want my father back, and that won't happen. So forgive me if I can't pretend you're a hero just because you got out of jail." Victoria flinched at Daniella's words, feeling guilty. "I'm not a hero. I just want to fix my life, like you. I know I can't change what happened, but I'm here if you-" "If I what?" Daniella cut in sharply. "If I need someone to tell me it'll be okay? It's not, Victoria. It's never going to be okay. My father is dead because of you." "That's enough!" Louis shouted, surprising both women. He stepped between them. "This isn't helping anyone. Dad wouldn't want us fighting like this." Daniella's eyes filled with tears, but she held on to her anger. "Don't tell me what Dad would want," she said, her voice breaking. "You don't know what it's like, Louis. You were here. You got to say goodbye." Louis's expression softened. "Daniella, I miss him too-every second. But we need to stick together. We're family." "Family," Daniella repeated, sarcastically. "Sure. We're a happy family, except we're missing the one person who held us together." Victoria took a step back, feeling heavy-hearted. She felt out of place. No matter what she said, she couldn't make things right. She looked at Louis, who looked just as helpless. "I'm sorry," Victoria whispered. "I'll go." Louis reached out, but Victoria was already leaving, her steps quick as she went to the door. She could hear Daniella's shaky breaths behind her, trying not to cry. The sound hurt Victoria, reminding her of the pain caused. Outside, the cool air hit her hard. She leaned against the porch railing, taking deep breaths. She knew it wouldn't be easy coming back, but Daniella's anger hurt her more than she expected. It reopened all her doubts and fears. Louis joined her, looking serious. "Victoria, I-" "You don't have to apologize for her," Victoria said quickly, wiping her eyes. "She has every right to be angry. I just didn't expect this." Louis sighed, running his hand through his hair. "Daniella's hurting. We all are. But she'll come around. She just needs time." Victoria nodded, unsure if she believed it. "I'm trying to understand, but it feels like I'm dragging everyone down." "You're not," Louis said firmly, meeting her gaze. "You're not dragging anyone down. My father made his choice, and I made mine. We're all in this together." Victoria gave a small, grateful smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Thanks, Louis. I wish I could do more." "You're doing enough," he assured her. "We'll get through this. Together." They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their conversation between them. Victoria knew the road ahead would be hard, and Daniella's anger wouldn't go away quickly. But she also knew she had to keep trying for her place in a family still grieving the loss of its leader. As they went back inside, the tension was still thick, the rift between Victoria and Daniella clear. Victoria looked at Daniella, who was staring out the window, pain and resentment on her face. Victoria took a deep breath, ready for the difficult path ahead. She didn't know how to fix things with Daniella, but she was determined to try, for Malcolm, for Louis, and for the family that had once welcomed her. As she went upstairs, the weight of Daniella's words pressed on her. The rift had started, and it was clear that healing would take more than time-it would take understanding, forgiveness, and facing the truth, no matter how hard it was. And for Victoria, that was the hardest part.