Chapter 3: The Plan She Never Told Us
The kitchen clock was the only sound in the room.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
I stared at the words on my father’s phone.
Permanent relocation.
Those two words felt impossible.
Like they belonged to someone else’s life.
Not mine.
Dad read the document again.
His hands were shaking.
“Maya…”
“I didn’t know.””
“I know.””
“No, Dad. I mean I really didn’t know.””
He reached for my hand.
“I believe you.””
That was when I realized something.
Vanessa wasn’t trying to ruin a vacation.
The vacation was just a distraction.
She wanted me gone.
Dad printed the document the next morning and called a lawyer.
But before we left, he confronted Vanessa.
She was sitting at the kitchen island drinking coffee like nothing had happened.
When Dad walked in holding the papers, her expression changed.
“You found it.””
Not “What is that?””
Not “Why are you upset?””
You found it.
Dad placed the papers on the counter.
“Explain.””
Vanessa looked at them.
Then sighed.
“I was trying to make things easier.””
“For who?””
“For everyone.””
Dad laughed bitterly.
“You tried to send my daughter away.””
“She’s almost an adult.””
“She’s sixteen.””
“She’s old enough to understand she doesn’t belong in this house.””
My chest tightened.
Dad stepped forward.
“Don’t ever say that again.””
Vanessa stood up.
“You have no idea how hard it is living with someone who constantly reminds you of your first wife.””
The room went silent.
I expected Dad to get angry.
Instead, he looked hurt.
“You married me knowing I had a daughter.””
“Yes.””
“Then you accepted that she was part of my life.””
Vanessa looked away.
“I thought eventually she would leave.””
Those words hurt more than anything else.
Not because Vanessa said them.
Because she meant them.
Tyler walked into the kitchen.
“Mom?””
Everyone froze.
He had heard everything.
“What are you talking about?””
Vanessa immediately changed her tone.
“Go upstairs.””
“No.””
Tyler looked confused.
“You said Maya was staying home because she wanted to.””
My eyes moved toward him.
For the first time, Tyler looked ashamed.
Dad picked up the papers.
“She canceled Maya’s ticket and tried to submit fake documents saying I agreed to send her away.””
Tyler stared at his mother.
“Mom?””
Vanessa said nothing.
That was her answer.
Brandon appeared behind him.
“Is this true?””
Vanessa looked at her sons.
“I did what I had to do.””
Tyler stepped back.
“You lied to us?””
She shook her head.
“No. I protected you.””
“From what?”” Tyler asked.
Vanessa didn’t respond.
Because there was no answer.
Dad grabbed his keys.
“We’re leaving.””
Vanessa’s face hardened.
“You can’t just abandon me.””
Dad looked at her.
“You tried to make me abandon my daughter.””
That was the first time I saw Vanessa lose control.
Her calm mask cracked.
“You think you’re innocent?””
Dad stopped.
“What does that mean?””
She smiled slightly.
A cold, confident smile.
“I guess you should ask your daughter what she’s been hiding.””
My heart dropped.
Dad looked at me.
“What is she talking about?””
“I don’t know.””
Vanessa walked toward the stairs.
“Tell him, Maya.””
I felt confused.
Angry.
Scared.
“I don’t know what you mean.””
She turned around.
“You really want me to say it?””
Dad’s expression changed.
“Say what?””
Vanessa reached into a drawer near the stairs.
She pulled out a small envelope.
Then placed it on the table.
“I found this in her room.””
My name was written on the front.
Dad looked at me.
“Maya?””
I stared at the envelope.
I had never seen it before.
Vanessa smiled.
“Open it.””
My father slowly picked it up.
He looked at the handwriting.
Then his face went pale.
Because he recognized it.
“This…”
May you like
He looked at me.
“Where did you get a letter from your mother?””
