Chapter 11: The Lie About Daniel Carter
The message stayed on my screen.
*Daniel didn't die before Lily was born.*
I read it again.
Then again.
It couldn't be true.
"Vanessa.""
She didn't respond.
"Tell me Daniel Carter is dead.""
Her silence was enough.
My voice dropped.
"Tell me.""
She looked away.
"I can't.""
The anger that rose inside me was different from before.
Before, I was hurt.
Now I was afraid.
Because every lie led to another.
"Where is Daniel?""
Vanessa sat down.
Suddenly she looked older.
Tired.
Not innocent.
Just tired.
"I don't know.""
I stared at her.
"You're lying.""
"I'm not.""
"You know everything about everyone.""
She looked at the floor.
"Not everything.""
I stepped closer.
"Then why did Mason find proof that Daniel was alive?""
She looked up.
"Because he was.""
The answer hit like a punch.
"Where is he?""
"I don't know.""
"Why did you tell everyone he died?""
Vanessa closed her eyes.
"Because Emily wanted him gone.""
I shook my head.
"Why?""
"Because Daniel was dangerous.""
There it was again.
Dangerous.
The same word.
The same excuse.
"Everyone is dangerous except you?""
She looked at me.
"You think I'm lying.""
"I know you are.""
She reached for the file.
"Look.""
I didn't move.
"Look at the evidence.""
"Evidence you collected.""
"Evidence that proves Emily was hiding things too.""
I hated that part of me wondered if she was right.
Because Vanessa was a liar.
But liars could tell the truth sometimes.
I grabbed the file.
Inside were medical records.
DNA tests.
A court document.
Then I saw a name.
Daniel Carter.
The document wasn't about his death.
It was about custody.
A custody request.
Filed eight years ago.
After Lily was born.
My eyes narrowed.
"Daniel tried to get custody?""
Vanessa nodded.
"Yes.""
"And?""
"Emily stopped him.""
"Why?""
Vanessa didn't answer.
I looked up.
"Why?""
Finally, she whispered:
"Because Daniel wasn't supposed to know Lily existed.""
I froze.
"What?""
She looked at me.
"Emily told everyone Lily was not Daniel's child.""
I felt dizzy.
"Was she?""
Vanessa looked away.
"I don't know.""
That was the first honest answer she had given me.
And somehow, it scared me more.
My phone rang.
Mason.
I answered immediately.
"What's happening?""
"Dad.""
His voice sounded different.
Scared.
"What is it?""
"I found Daniel.""
I stood straight.
"Where?""
"He's not missing.""
"Then where is he?""
A pause.
Then Mason said:
"He's been in Dallas this whole time.""
My heart stopped.
"How do you know?""
"Because I found his address.""
"Send it to me.""
"Dad...""
"What?""
"You need to know something.""
"What?""
"He isn't alone.""
I frowned.
"Who is with him?""
Mason hesitated.
Then:
"Emily.""
I looked at Vanessa.
Her face had gone pale.
"You knew.""
She stood quickly.
"No.""
"You knew Emily was here.""
"No.""
"Then why do you look terrified?""
She didn't answer.
My phone buzzed.
A new message.
From Mason.
An address.
And a photo.
Daniel Carter standing outside a house.
Holding a little girl's drawing.
A drawing with three words written across it.
*I miss Daddy.*
My breath caught.
Because underneath the drawing was a date.
A date from six months ago.
Daniel Carter wasn't dead.
May you like
He was alive.
And he had been trying to find Lily.
