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Then his gaze shifted.
Just below the girl’s jaw, half-hidden by her collar, was a pale, crescent-shaped mark.
The breath caught in his throat.
He knew that mark.
His younger sister bore the same one—same curve, same spot. As children, she used to laugh about it, calling it a little moon that followed her everywhere. Years later, when their family fractured under the weight of anger and loss, she began hiding it beneath scarves, as though covering it could erase everything that had broken between them.
And now, standing at his gates, was a girl with the very same mark—one that no amount of money, power, or preparation could explain away.
The girl startled. She instinctively shifted, tightening the cloth that secured the baby, as though preparing to be turned away or escorted off the property. Her gaze flicked toward the guards, then cautiously returned to Victor.
“My name is Clara Monroe,” she said quietly. “I’m not here for money. I just… I need a job. Any kind of work. My sister is hungry.”
He lifted his hand slightly, signaling security to step back.
“Get food,” he said under his breath. “And water.”
Moments later, a tray appeared at the gate—bread, soup, fruit. Victor watched as Clara accepted it, her hands shaking.