Chapter 8: The Truth Vanessa Buried
Nobody moved.
The room was completely silent.
My father stared at that piece of paper like it had changed everything he believed.
Because maybe it had.
“Where did you get this?”” he asked Rachel.
She looked down.
“From Vanessa’s old belongings.””
Dad stood.
“Why would she write that?””
Rachel sighed.
“Because she was angry.””
“At my wife?””
Rachel nodded.
“She believed Elena made everyone choose sides.””
I felt a chill.
My mother had been gone for years.
And somehow, the same conflict she worried about was still happening.
Dad picked up the note again.
“What else?””
Rachel hesitated.
“There is something you need to know.””
Mia looked nervous.
“What?””
Rachel looked at her.
“Vanessa didn’t just compare you and Aaliyah.””
She paused.
“She used you.””
Mia frowned.
“What does that mean?””
Rachel looked at Dad.
“After Elena died, Vanessa wanted to become the most important person in this house.””
Dad’s face hardened.
“She told me she wanted to help.””
“She did help,” Rachel said.
“But she also wanted control.””
I remembered all the years.
The little comments.
The arguments.
The moments where Mia and I were always placed against each other.
I had thought Mia hated me.
But maybe someone had been feeding that hatred.
Rachel continued.
“Vanessa would tell Mia things like, ‘Your father only praises Aaliyah because she reminds him of Elena.’”
Mia’s eyes widened.
“She said that?””
Rachel nodded.
“Many times.””
Mia looked at Dad.
“Is that true?””
Dad didn’t answer.
Because his silence was enough.
Mia covered her mouth.
I watched her process it.
The anger.
The hurt.
The realization that someone she trusted had shaped her feelings for years.
But I still remembered the scissors.
The ruined dress.
The pain.
Understanding was not forgiveness.
Not yet.
Dad looked at Mia.
“What happened yesterday was wrong.””
She nodded.
“I know.””
“No.””
His voice softened.
“You need to understand something.””
Mia looked at him.
“You were hurt. But hurting Aaliyah wasn’t the answer.””
A tear rolled down her cheek.
“I know.””
For once, she didn’t argue.
Then my phone buzzed.
Everyone looked.
Another message.
From the unknown number.
Rachel looked at my phone.
Her face changed.
“What does it say?””
I read it aloud.
*“The note is only the beginning. Ask Vanessa about the money she took after Elena’s death.””*
Dad immediately looked up.
“What money?””
Rachel closed her eyes.
“Oh no.””
My father turned toward her.
“Rachel.””
She looked nervous.
“I hoped you would never have to know this.””
My heart sank.
“What happened?””
Rachel looked at Dad.
“After Elena passed away, there was a life insurance payment.””
Dad froze.
“I know.””
Rachel shook her head.
“No.””
She whispered:
“You know the amount you received.””
Everyone became quiet.
“But you don’t know the full amount.””
Dad stood.
“What are you saying?””
Rachel looked down.
“Some of it was missing.””
The room felt like it tilted.
“Mia,” I whispered.
She looked at me.
“What?””
I shook my head.
“I don’t know.””
Dad’s voice was low.
“How much?””
Rachel answered.
“Enough that Elena would have noticed.””
My father stepped back.
He looked hurt.
Not because of the money.
Because of the betrayal.
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
Rachel looked at the floor.
“Because Vanessa convinced me it was an accounting mistake.””
“And you believed her?””
“I wanted to.””
The silence that followed was painful.
Then Dad’s phone rang.
He answered.
After only a few seconds, his expression changed.
“What?””
Pause.
“No, I didn’t authorize that.””
My heart raced.
He looked at us.
“There’s been another withdrawal.””
Mia looked confused.
“From what?””
Dad slowly lowered the phone.
“From my account.””
I stared at him.
“When?””
He looked at the time.
“An hour ago.””
Rachel whispered:
“Vanessa knew you were going to find out.””
Dad grabbed his keys.
“What do you mean?””
Rachel looked toward the door.
“She’s not running away.””
May you like
She swallowed.
“She’s coming back to erase the evidence.””
