Chapter 6: What Valerie Was Really After
Daniel sat frozen on my couch.
For the first time since he arrived, he looked afraid.
Not angry.
Not defensive.
Afraid.
“Daniel,” I said slowly, “what does Valerie know?””
He rubbed his face.
“I don’t know.””
“That’s not an answer.””
He stood and walked toward the window.
“She overheard me talking to someone.””
“Who?””
“My accountant.””
“When?””
He didn’t answer immediately.
That was another answer.
“Daniel.””
He turned around.
“Last month.””
I stared at him.
“Last month?””
“Yes.””
“And you never told me?””
“I didn’t think it was important.””
I laughed softly.
A painful laugh.
“My husband created a trust to protect me, and your wife somehow found out about it before I did, and you didn’t think it was important?””
Daniel looked ashamed.
“I didn’t think she would do anything.””
I looked at him.
“Why?””
“Because she’s my wife.””
I nodded slowly.
“And I’m your mother.””
The words hit him.
He sat back down.
“I’m sorry.””
I believed he meant it.
But regret was not the same as change.
“What did she ask you to do?””
He looked away.
“Daniel.””
“She wanted me to convince you to help us.””
“With what?””
“Our house.””
I waited.
He swallowed.
“We’re behind.””
“How far?””
He didn’t answer.
“How far?””
“Almost forty thousand.””
I closed my eyes.
There it was.
The next emergency.
The next crisis.
The next reason I was supposed to rescue them.
“Mom, please don’t judge her.””
I looked at him.
“I’m not judging her.””
“Yes, you are.””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“I’m finally seeing her.””
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
I continued.
“When Richard died, I gave you money because I loved you.””
“I know.””
“When you bought your house, I helped because I wanted you to have a stable life.””
“I know.””
“When Valerie needed help with the wedding expenses, I didn’t hesitate.””
“I know.””
“Then tell me why, after everything, your wife looked at me across a restaurant table and saw a credit card.””
Daniel had no answer.
That was the first honest moment we shared in years.
My phone rang.
Neither of us moved.
I looked at the screen.
It was Valerie.
Daniel’s face tightened.
“Don’t answer.””
I looked at him.
“Why?””
“Because…”
He stopped.
I answered.
“Hello, Valerie.””
Her voice immediately changed.
“Evelyn, we need to talk.””
“We are talking.””
“No. Really talk.””
I heard movement in the background.
Then she said:
“I know about Richard’s trust.””
I stayed silent.
“I think there’s been a misunderstanding.””
“A misunderstanding?””
“Yes.””
I waited.
She continued.
“You have enough money to help us, and honestly, after everything Daniel has done for you—”
I interrupted.
“Everything Daniel has done for me?””
Silence.
Then she corrected herself.
“I mean everything you’ve done for him.””
I looked at Daniel.
He closed his eyes.
Valerie continued.
“We’re family.””
I almost smiled.
There was that word again.
Family.
“Valerie.””
“Yes?””
“I want to ask you something.””
“Okay.””
“If I had no money…”
A pause.
“Would you still want me at your table?””
The silence on the phone was immediate.
And that silence answered everything.
Then Valerie whispered:
“You’re being unfair.””
“No.””
I looked at Richard’s envelope sitting on the table.
“I’m finally being honest.””
Before she could respond, another voice came from her side of the phone.
A man’s voice.
Not Daniel’s.
Someone else.
Someone who should not have been there.
I heard Valerie whisper:
“Turn that off. She can’t know yet.””
My blood ran cold.
“Know what?””
Silence.
Then the call ended.
I looked at Daniel.
He looked terrified.
“Who was with her?””
He didn’t answer.
But I already knew.
Whatever Valerie was planning…
It was bigger than money.
May you like
And somehow…
Richard’s final letter was connected to it.
