Chapter 4: What Vanessa Knew
Nia didn't sleep.
At 2:17 in the morning, she sat on the floor of the guest room with Claire's photograph beside her.
The house was silent.
Then her phone vibrated.
Unknown Number.
*You shouldn't have come home.*
Nia stared at the message.
Another one arrived.
*Your father isn't telling you everything.*
Then:
*Ask him about the red folder.*
Nia's heart hammered.
She typed:
*Who is this?*
Three dots appeared.
Disappeared.
Appeared again.
Then the reply came.
*Someone who tried to protect your mother.*
Nia stood immediately.
She opened the bedroom door.
The hallway was dark.
She remembered seeing a red folder in the study earlier that evening.
Her father had locked the study after dinner.
Nia walked downstairs.
She reached the study door.
Locked.
She tried the handle anyway.
Nothing.
Then she heard Vanessa behind her.
“What are you doing?””
Nia turned.
Vanessa stood in the hallway wearing a robe.
“I could ask you the same thing.””
Vanessa looked at the locked door.
“Go back to bed.””
“What's in the red folder?””
Vanessa froze.
Nia noticed.
“You know what I'm talking about.””
Vanessa's voice became low.
“Who told you?””
“So there is a red folder.””
Vanessa closed her eyes.
“Your father should have told you.””
“What?””
“That folder contains documents about your mother.””
“Then open the door.””
“I can't.””
“Why?””
“Because your father has the key.””
Nia stepped closer.
“Then wake him up.””
Vanessa looked at her.
“No.””
“Why not?””
“Because once you read those documents, there is no going back.””
Nia laughed bitterly.
“There hasn't been a going back since I found that photograph.””
Vanessa stared at her.
Then she said something unexpected.
“I was trying to keep you safe.””
Nia went silent.
“You?””
“Yes.””
“You've spent three days making me feel like I shouldn't be here.””
Vanessa looked down.
“I know.””
“Why?””
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of me?””
“Of what would happen if you found out the truth.””
Nia's voice softened.
“What truth?””
Vanessa walked to the bottom stair.
“Your mother didn't die believing your father betrayed her.””
Nia frowned.
“What?””
“She died believing someone else had betrayed her.””
“Who?””
Vanessa turned.
Before she could answer, Marcus appeared at the end of the hallway.
“What are you two doing?””
Vanessa immediately stopped speaking.
Nia looked at her father.
“Who betrayed Mom?””
Marcus's face went blank.
“Go upstairs.””
“No.””
“Nia.””
“You told me there was money missing.””
Marcus's eyes moved toward Vanessa.
Nia noticed.
“You're both hiding something.””
Marcus walked toward her.
“There's a reason.””
“Then tell me.””
He stopped.
“I can't.””
Nia's voice broke.
“Why can't you?””
Marcus whispered, “Because I promised your mother.””
Nia stared at him.
“She made you promise what?””
Marcus looked away.
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
Then Nia heard a sound from outside.
A car door slammed.
All three turned toward the front window.
Headlights swept across the living room.
A woman stepped out of the vehicle.
Nia couldn't see her face clearly.
But Vanessa could.
May you like
Vanessa whispered one word.
“Claire.””
