Chapter 4: The Man Who Knew My Mother's Secret
My father didn't speak for almost a full minute after Daniel's warning.
He stood in the hallway, holding his phone against his ear, staring at the photograph of my mother as though the woman in it had suddenly become a stranger.
“Daniel,” Dad finally said, his voice shaking, “are you telling me Vanessa had something to do with Laura's accident?””
“I didn't say that,” Daniel replied.
“I'm telling you that Laura was investigating her before she died.””
“Then why didn't you tell me five years ago?””
“Because I couldn't prove it. And because someone made sure the evidence disappeared.””
Dad looked toward me.
I was standing beside the bedroom door, still wearing his oversized jacket.
“Can you come here?”” Dad asked.
Daniel hesitated.
“Michael, there's something you need to understand. If Vanessa realizes you've found Laura's documents, she'll move quickly.””
“I'm not leaving my daughter alone with her.””
“Then bring Emily somewhere safe. I'll meet you at the old courthouse at noon.””
Dad ended the call.
He walked toward me and crouched until we were eye level.
“Sweetheart, I need you to trust me.””
I swallowed.
“I do.””
“Your mother was involved in something serious before she died. I thought it was related to her work. I never imagined Vanessa was connected.””
“Why didn't you tell me she knew Mom?””
Dad looked down.
“Because I was ashamed.””
“Of what?””
“Of how quickly I started dating again.””
His voice cracked.
“After your mother died, I couldn't stand coming home to an empty house. I met Vanessa through a business associate. She was kind, patient, and seemed to understand what I was going through. She knew exactly what to say.””
I remembered Vanessa's first Christmas with us.
She'd brought me a stuffed bear and promised she'd never try to replace my mother.
Now that memory felt like a lie.
Dad continued.
“I introduced her to you because I thought she would make our lives easier. I never imagined she'd treat you this way.””
I looked toward the stairs.
“Dad, she took Mom's room.””
“I know.””
“She wore her clothes.””
“I know, sweetheart.””
“And she put me in the garage.””
His eyes filled.
“I know. And I am so sorry.””
For the first time, I saw my father cry.
He pulled me into his arms, and I held on to him.
But our moment was interrupted by Vanessa.
“What exactly are you two whispering about?””
She stood at the top of the stairs, dressed in a cream-colored blouse and black trousers. Her hair was perfectly arranged, and she held a cup of coffee.
Dad stood immediately.
“Where's Brittany?””
“Getting ready.””
“Good. Pack a bag for yourself, too.””
Vanessa frowned.
“Why?””
“Emily and I are leaving.””
She gave a short laugh.
“Michael, you just got home. You can't seriously be taking her side after what she's done.””
“What has she done?””
“She broke into my office, stole documents, and threatened me.””
Dad stared at her.
“Your office?””
“Our office. This is my home, too.””
“Laura's office was never yours.””
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
“Don't start bringing your dead wife into every conversation.””
Dad stepped closer.
“Don't you dare.””
She looked at me.
“Emily, what have you told him?””
I remained silent.
Vanessa placed her coffee on the railing.
“Michael, she's manipulating you. She's always been jealous of Brittany. That's why she refuses to accept that this family has changed.””
Dad reached into his pocket and pulled out the brass key.
Vanessa froze.
“Where did you get that?””
“Why do you care?””
She recovered quickly.
“It's an old key. It probably belongs to one of Laura's cabinets.””
“Funny. You seemed very interested in it last night.””
Vanessa's expression hardened.
“Michael, I think you're making a terrible mistake.””
“No. I think I've made one for the last two years.””
He walked downstairs.
Vanessa followed.
“You can't just leave! We have a mortgage, bills, responsibilities!””
Dad turned.
“The mortgage is paid off.””
“That's not the point!””
“Then what is the point, Vanessa?””
She looked at me before answering.
“Your daughter is destroying this marriage.””
Dad's voice became dangerously quiet.
“My daughter is sixteen years old. You put her in a freezing garage and took away her phone. If anyone is destroying this marriage, it isn't her.””
Vanessa's eyes narrowed.
Then she did something unexpected.
She started crying.
Not quietly.
She covered her face and let out a trembling sob.
“I can't believe you're doing this to me. After everything I've sacrificed.””
Dad didn't move.
“Get Brittany ready.””
He walked toward the front door.
I followed him.
But before I could reach it, Vanessa said something that made me stop.
“Michael, if you leave this house with Emily, don't expect me to keep protecting you.””
Dad slowly turned around.
“Protecting me from what?””
Vanessa wiped her eyes.
For a second, she looked as though she regretted speaking.
Then she forced a smile.
“Nothing.””
Dad stared at her.
“Finish that sentence.””
She said nothing.
We left ten minutes later.
In the car, Dad placed the flash drive in the center console and called Daniel again.
“I need you to tell me everything.””
Daniel's answer was immediate.
“Do you have Laura's original files?””
“Yes.””
“Then don't open them on your home computer. Don't connect that drive to anything Vanessa might have access to.””
Dad glanced at me.
“Where do we meet?””
“The courthouse. But Michael, there's one more thing.””
“What?””
“I found out yesterday that someone has been asking questions about Emily's inheritance.””
Dad gripped the steering wheel.
“Who?””
“Vanessa.””
The car suddenly felt very small.
Dad pulled into a parking lot.
“Why would she care about Emily's inheritance?””
Daniel was silent.
Then he answered.
“Because Laura didn't leave Emily just a house.””
I turned toward Dad.
“What else did Mom leave me?””
Daniel spoke slowly.
“An ownership interest in a development company worth considerably more than the house. Your mother transferred it into Emily's trust before she died.””
Dad closed his eyes.
“Dear God.””
I looked out the window.
All those years, I'd thought Mom had left me photographs, old clothes, and memories.
Apparently, she'd left me something much bigger.
And Vanessa knew about it.
But as Dad restarted the engine, a black SUV pulled out from a parking space across the street.
It followed us through the next two intersections.
Then Dad noticed it.
“Emily,” he said quietly, “don't turn around.””
I looked at him.
“Why?””
He checked the rearview mirror.
“Because I think someone knows where we're going.””
And then his phone rang.
The caller ID showed Vanessa.
Dad answered on speaker.
Her voice was calm now.
Almost cheerful.
“Michael, sweetheart, I think we should talk.””
Dad said nothing.
May you like
Then she added:
“Especially about the papers your daughter found. Because if you show them to Daniel, you'll discover that Laura wasn't the only person who signed them.””
