Chapter 8: The Woman Behind The Messages
I didn’t sleep that night.
I sat in the dark nursery.
The room we had spent months preparing.
The tiny crib.
The soft blankets.
The little stuffed animals lined up perfectly on the shelf.
Everything was ready for a baby who had no idea how much chaos surrounded her arrival.
I held my stomach.
“She deserves better,” I whispered.
The next morning, I called Rebecca.
She answered after the second ring.
“Sarah?””
“I need to ask you something.””
A pause.
“What happened?””
“Did Daniel ever tell you about another woman?””
The silence lasted too long.
That was my answer.
“Rebecca?””
She sighed.
“I hoped I was wrong.””
My heart sank.
“What do you mean?””
“When I saw those documents, I noticed another name.””
My fingers tightened around the phone.
“Who?””
“Vanessa.””
I closed my eyes.
“Who is Vanessa?””
Rebecca hesitated.
“She was someone Daniel’s mother introduced him to.””
I felt sick.
“Introduced?””
“Yes.””
“When?””
“After Daniel and I ended things.””
I walked into the kitchen.
My legs felt weak.
“Are you saying Evelyn was trying to replace me?””
Rebecca’s voice softened.
“I think she has been trying to control Daniel’s life for a long time.””
I looked at the family photos on the wall.
Pictures of Daniel smiling.
Pictures of us happy.
Were they real?
Or was I just the person who fit the role until someone better appeared?
That afternoon, I confronted Daniel.
He was in the office when I walked in.
He looked up.
“Sarah.””
I placed my phone on the desk.
“Who is Vanessa?””
His face changed instantly.
That was enough.
“Answer me.””
He stood slowly.
“Where did you hear that name?””
I laughed.
“From someone who actually tells me the truth.””
“Sarah.””
“No.””
I stepped closer.
“I’m done watching you panic every time your secrets appear.””
He sat down.
“She was nothing.””
“Nothing?””
“Yes.””
“Then why did your mother mention her?””
He rubbed his face.
“Because my mother thought she was a better match.””
The words hurt.
Not because I believed them.
Because he allowed them.
“And what did you think?””
He looked at me.
“I chose you.””
I shook my head.
“You chose me after everything else failed.””
“That’s not true.””
“Isn’t it?””
He had no answer.
I walked away.
But before I reached the door, he spoke.
“Sarah.””
I stopped.
“There’s something else you need to know.””
I turned around.
“What?””
He looked terrified.
“Vanessa wasn’t the problem.””
My heart sank.
“What does that mean?””
He took a deep breath.
“She wasn’t the person my mother wanted me to marry.””
“Then who?””
Daniel looked at the floor.
And whispered:
“The person who could give her the son she always wanted.””
I froze.
“What are you saying?””
He looked at me.
And the fear on his face was unmistakable.
“My mother already chose someone before you.””
My voice became quiet.
“Who?””
May you like
Daniel swallowed.
“Someone you know.””
