Chapter 6: The Number Beside Her Name
I waited until the children were upstairs with Sarah before opening my work bag.
Vanessa stood across from me.
"Give me the notebook.""
"No.""
"It's mine.""
"It contains records about my daughter.""
Vanessa laughed nervously.
"Records? They're household notes.""
I opened it.
"Then you won't mind explaining them.""
Her eyes followed every page I turned.
I found the section Sarah described near the back.
And there it was.
EMILY — $486,000.
I stared at the number.
Rachel's parents had created a trust after their daughter died.
I knew the original amount had been much smaller.
Investments must have increased it.
But I had never checked.
I had deliberately stayed away from the money.
It belonged to Emily.
Not me.
Not Vanessa.
Emily.
Under the amount were several handwritten questions.
Guardian access?
Education expenses?
Primary residence?
Emergency withdrawal?
My mouth went dry.
"What is this?""
Vanessa said nothing.
I looked up.
"Why are you researching access to Emily's trust?""
"I wasn't.""
"Your handwriting is on the page.""
"It's household planning.""
"Household planning?""
I slapped the notebook onto the table.
"That's nearly half a million dollars belonging to a five-year-old.""
Vanessa's eyes flashed.
"And who pays for that five-year-old every day?""
I stared at her.
There it was.
Not an explanation.
Resentment.
"I do," I said.
"We do.""
"No. My paycheck covers this house.""
Vanessa scoffed.
"You think money is the only contribution?""
"I think you're avoiding the question.""
She paced toward the window.
"When we married, you said we were becoming one family.""
"We were supposed to.""
"Exactly. One family. Shared responsibilities. Shared resources.""
"Emily's inheritance isn't a family resource.""
Vanessa turned.
"Why not?""
The question shocked me.
"Because it's hers.""
"She's five!""
"And that makes stealing from her acceptable?""
"I didn't steal anything!""
"Then why were you researching withdrawals?""
Vanessa slammed both palms against the counter.
"Because Tyler deserves a future too!""
I stared at her.
Suddenly everything made sense in the ugliest possible way.
The meals.
The resentment.
The punishments.
The constant comparison.
"You resent Emily because she has money.""
"No.""
"Then explain it.""
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
For years, I would have crossed the room and comforted her.
This time I didn't move.
"Tyler's father left us with nothing," she whispered.
"That isn't Emily's fault.""
"You don't understand what it's like watching one child have everything guaranteed while the other has nothing.""
"Emily lost her mother.""
"And Tyler lost his father!""
"Then protect him. Love him. Help me build something for him.""
I pointed at the notebook.
"But don't punish Emily because Rachel protected her before she died.""
Vanessa looked away.
I realized there might be more.
"Who were you talking to?""
"What?""
"Tyler heard you discussing the trust.""
"Probably my sister.""
"About accessing the money?""
Vanessa stayed silent.
That silence answered enough.
I picked up my phone.
"I'm calling the trust attorney tomorrow.""
Vanessa's head snapped around.
"Why?""
"To make sure nobody has touched a cent.""
Panic crossed her face.
Real panic.
Not anger.
Not embarrassment.
Fear.
I lowered the phone.
"Vanessa.""
She didn't answer.
"Has money already been taken?""
"No.""
Too fast.
"Look at me.""
"I said no.""
"Then why are you scared?""
"I'm scared because my husband suddenly thinks I'm some criminal!""
I walked toward her.
"Who else has access?""
"Nobody.""
"Who did you contact?""
"Nobody!""
Her voice echoed through the kitchen.
Then we heard a small sound behind us.
Emily stood at the bottom of the stairs.
Sarah was behind her.
My daughter held something in her hand.
An envelope.
"Daddy?""
I immediately softened my voice.
"What is it, sweetheart?""
"I found this under my bed.""
Vanessa's face changed.
She moved toward Emily.
"Give me that.""
I stepped in front of her.
"Don't.""
Emily handed me the envelope.
My name was written across the front.
MICHAEL.
The handwriting wasn't Vanessa's.
I opened it.
Inside was a short note and a business card.
I recognized the name immediately.
Daniel Mercer.
Rachel's attorney.
The man who had helped establish Emily's trust after Rachel died.
The note was only three sentences.
Michael,
I've tried contacting you regarding several recent inquiries involving Emily's trust. Someone identifying herself as Emily's legal guardian requested information about early distributions.
Please call me immediately.
I read it twice.
Then I looked at Vanessa.
"You contacted Daniel?""
"No.""
"He says someone claiming to be Emily's guardian contacted him.""
"Then it wasn't me.""
"Who else would do that?""
Vanessa's lips trembled.
Sarah quietly led Emily upstairs.
I waited until they disappeared.
Then I lowered my voice.
"Tell me the truth now.""
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
"I only asked questions.""
"You just told me you contacted nobody.""
"I panicked.""
"What did you ask him?""
"Whether the trust could help with family expenses.""
"Why was this letter hidden under Emily's bed?""
"I don't know.""
"Vanessa.""
"I don't know!""
She reached for the envelope.
I pulled it away.
My phone suddenly rang.
Unknown number.
I almost ignored it.
Then I answered.
"Hello?""
A man's voice came through.
"Michael?""
"Yes.""
"This is Daniel Mercer.""
I looked at the business card in my hand.
My pulse jumped.
"Daniel?""
"I'm sorry to call unexpectedly, but I've been trying to reach you.""
I stared at Vanessa.
She slowly backed toward the counter.
"What's happening?""
Daniel paused.
Then his voice became careful.
"Before I explain, I need to verify something.""
"What?""
"Did you recently sign a petition requesting expanded access to Emily's trust?""
My blood went cold.
"No.""
Silence.
Then I heard papers moving on his end.
"Michael, I was afraid you would say that.""
I gripped the phone.
"Why?""
"Because I have the petition in front of me.""
Vanessa stopped moving.
May you like
Daniel continued.
"And it has your signature on it.""
