Chapter 2: My Brother Knew Everything
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Michael stood in the doorway wearing his black tuxedo, one hand resting against the frame.
I looked from him to Vanessa.
"What did you just say?""
Michael swallowed.
"I said this isn't the time to discuss paperwork.""
"You said I wasn't supposed to find it today.""
He glanced at Vanessa.
She gave him a tiny shake of her head.
That was all I needed to see.
My brother knew something.
And whatever it was, he had been hiding it from me.
"Get inside," I said.
Michael stepped into the room and closed the door.
Vanessa immediately moved toward him.
"Michael, please explain to him.""
He rubbed his forehead.
"Daniel, listen. You're upset. I understand that. But there's been a misunderstanding.""
I held up the document.
"Is this my signature?""
He didn't answer.
"Michael. Is this my signature?""
He looked down.
"No.""
The answer came quietly.
I felt something inside me collapse.
"Then why is it on a custody document?""
Vanessa wiped her cheeks.
"It was only a precaution.""
"A precaution?""
"Daniel, you travel for work. Someone needs to be available to make decisions for Sophie if something happens to you.""
I stared at her.
"Then why is the document dated three weeks ago?""
She hesitated.
Michael stepped forward.
"Because we were trying to get everything organized before the wedding.""
I turned toward him.
"We?""
He looked uncomfortable.
"Vanessa asked me to help with some arrangements.""
"What arrangements?""
"Nothing illegal.""
I laughed once.
It was an ugly sound.
"My brother is standing in a bridal suite explaining why my fiancée has forged my signature on a document that could take my daughter away from me, and you want me to believe this is nothing?""
Vanessa raised her voice.
"Stop making me sound like some criminal! I was trying to protect this family!""
Sophie pressed against my leg.
I looked down.
Her eyes were fixed on Vanessa.
"Baby, let's go downstairs.""
Vanessa immediately moved toward her.
"You're not taking her anywhere until we settle this.""
I stepped in front of Sophie.
"Don't come near her.""
Michael placed a hand on Vanessa's shoulder.
"Let him calm down.""
I looked at his hand.
Then at his face.
"Take your hand off her.""
He did.
The wedding coordinator was still standing near the doorway, looking increasingly frightened.
I turned to her.
"Please ask hotel security to come upstairs. Also, call the police. I want this incident documented.""
Vanessa's expression changed.
"Police? Daniel, are you insane?""
"No. I'm finally paying attention.""
She snatched a tissue from the dressing table.
"You cannot destroy my reputation because of a child's tantrum.""
I looked at the red mark on Sophie's cheek.
"She has a handprint on her face.""
"Children bruise easily!""
The coordinator quietly stepped into the hallway to make the call.
Vanessa lowered her voice.
"Daniel, think about our future. We can work this out privately.""
"Our future ended when you hit my daughter.""
She leaned closer.
"You really want to throw away everything we've built?""
I didn't answer.
Instead, I folded the document and placed it inside my jacket.
Then I noticed something else on the dressing table.
A small leather folder.
It was partially hidden beneath Vanessa's bouquet.
I recognized the logo on the cover.
It belonged to a law firm in downtown Atlanta.
I opened it.
Inside were several pages of financial documents, copies of identification cards, and a list of accounts.
My accounts.
The investment account I'd opened for Sophie after Emily died.
The college savings fund.
The life insurance proceeds I'd received after my wife's death.
Every account was listed with its balance.
Beside each one was a handwritten percentage.
I felt sick.
"Vanessa.""
She turned.
"Where did you get these?""
She immediately reached for the folder.
"Those are private.""
"They belong to me.""
Michael moved closer.
"Daniel, put the folder down.""
I looked at him.
"Why are you so interested in these documents?""
He didn't answer.
I flipped to the final page.
It was a financial authorization form.
My name appeared again.
This time, the document granted Vanessa permission to manage certain financial accounts on behalf of Sophie.
There was also a proposed transfer.
I read the amount twice.
Two hundred and eighty thousand dollars.
My daughter's savings.
I looked up.
"Why are you trying to transfer Sophie's money?""
Vanessa's face hardened.
"That money is supposed to support the family.""
"That's my daughter's college fund.""
"She's six, Daniel. She doesn't need that money sitting in an account doing nothing.""
"That's not your decision.""
She laughed bitterly.
"You think being a father means you know everything? You have no idea how expensive raising a child is.""
"I've been doing it for three years.""
"And I've been helping you!""
Her voice echoed through the suite.
For a moment, she seemed to realize what she'd said.
Then she pointed at Sophie.
"Ask her how many times I've had to deal with her screaming and crying while you were busy at work.""
Sophie lowered her head.
I crouched beside her.
"Sweetheart, did Vanessa ever tell you not to tell me something?""
My daughter nodded.
"What did she say?""
Sophie looked toward the door.
"She said if I told you, you would send me away.""
My throat tightened.
"Send you where?""
"To another house.""
Vanessa closed her eyes.
"Oh, for heaven's sake.""
Sophie continued.
"She said you would be happier with her because she could give you a new baby.""
I felt my stomach twist.
"What else, sweetheart?""
Sophie wiped her nose with the back of her hand.
"She said Mommy Emily's things were ugly and that I had to stop keeping them.""
Vanessa snapped.
"That is not what I said!""
Sophie flinched.
I lifted her into my arms.
"Nobody is going to make you forget your mother.""
Vanessa's eyes filled with anger.
"You're letting a six-year-old manipulate you.""
I stared at her.
"No. I'm listening to her.""
A knock sounded at the door.
Two hotel security officers entered, followed by the wedding coordinator.
Behind them stood Michael's wife, Laura.
She was still wearing her pale blue bridesmaid dress.
When she saw the documents in my hand, her face drained of color.
"Daniel," she whispered.
I looked at her.
"What?""
She glanced at Michael.
He shook his head sharply.
Laura ignored him.
"There's something you need to know about the wedding.""
Michael stepped forward.
"Laura, don't.""
She looked directly at me.
"Vanessa didn't just arrange the custody paperwork. She also arranged for Sophie to leave the hotel immediately after the ceremony.""
I tightened my arms around my daughter.
"Leave with whom?""
Laura's voice trembled.
"Her father.""
I blinked.
"Vanessa's father is dead.""
Laura shook her head.
"No, Daniel. He's very much alive.""
May you like
Then she looked at Vanessa.
"And he has been waiting downstairs since nine this morning.""
