Chapter 7: The Woman My Mother Feared
"Vanessa wasn't using her real identity when she married you.""
The attorney's words hung in the hospital room.
Dad gripped his phone.
"What do you mean she wasn't using her real identity?""
"Her birth certificate lists a different surname. So does her first marriage certificate. We've found evidence that she legally changed her name several years before meeting you.""
"Why?""
"That's what we're trying to establish. But there's something more concerning. Her first husband died under circumstances that resulted in a substantial life insurance payment.""
Grandma Margaret slowly sat down.
I looked between them.
"What's happening?""
Dad held up one hand, asking me to wait.
"Was his death investigated?""
"Yes. The original investigation classified it as an accident. However, the insurance company later questioned several inconsistencies in the claim.""
Dad's face tightened.
"Did he have children?""
"One daughter.""
I swallowed.
"How old was she?""
There was a pause.
"Approximately the same age as Emily.""
The room went silent.
Dad turned toward Grandma.
She looked as if she'd seen a ghost.
"Michael," she whispered, "I think Laura knew.""
Dad returned to the phone.
"Send me the records. All of them.""
"I will. And Michael, don't confront Vanessa alone until we've secured the relevant documents.""
Dad ended the call.
For several seconds, he stared at the floor.
Then he unfolded my mother's letter again.
"There's more," he whispered.
He began reading.
My darling Emily,
If you're reading this, something has happened that I desperately hoped you would never have to experience.
I need you to understand that I didn't keep secrets from you because I didn't trust you. I kept them because I wanted you to have a childhood without fear.
When Vanessa first came into our lives, I recognized her.
Dad stopped.
"Recognized her?""
Grandma leaned closer.
"Keep reading.""
He continued.
She introduced herself under a different name when she first approached our family. I discovered that she had previously worked for someone connected to my father's estate.
Dad looked confused.
"Your grandfather's estate?""
Grandma nodded.
"Laura inherited a considerable amount from her father.""
I had never heard that before.
Dad continued reading.
I found records showing that she had been involved in a financial dispute involving my father's former business partner. I confronted her privately. She denied everything and disappeared for several months.
My hands began trembling.
"Mom knew Vanessa before Dad married her?""
Grandma nodded.
"Apparently.""
Dad read the final lines.
If she ever tries to separate you from your father, take your belongings, or convince you to sign anything, remember this: she isn't interested in being your family.
She is interested in what belongs to you.
I have left evidence in the writing desk. Trust Margaret. And never let anyone sell the house.
Dad lowered the letter.
I stared at him.
"Mom knew she might do this?""
He swallowed.
"She was trying to protect you.""
Grandma reached across the bed and squeezed my hand.
"She never stopped protecting you, sweetheart.""
Dad's phone buzzed.
An email had arrived.
He opened the attached records.
The first page showed Vanessa's photograph.
The name underneath wasn't Vanessa.
It was *Vanessa Elaine Parker*.
The second page contained a marriage certificate from twelve years earlier.
Her former husband was listed as Daniel Parker.
And the third page was a newspaper clipping.
LOCAL BUSINESSMAN DIES IN LATE-NIGHT HOUSE FIRE.
Dad read the article twice.
"Daniel Parker died in a fire?""
Grandma leaned over his shoulder.
"Michael, look at the date.""
Dad looked.
Then he checked the date of his own first meeting with Vanessa.
His expression changed.
"She met me less than a year after this.""
The attorney called again.
Dad answered.
"Tell me about the daughter.""
"Her name is Rachel Parker. She's currently twenty-four. She was seventeen when her father died.""
"Does she know Vanessa?""
"According to the records, Rachel filed a civil complaint against her stepmother several years ago, alleging that money from her father's estate had been improperly transferred.""
Dad stood.
"What happened?""
"The case was dismissed after Rachel withdrew her complaint.""
"Why?""
"We don't know yet.""
I looked at Grandma.
"Do you think Vanessa did something to Rachel?""
Grandma's face tightened.
"I think we need to find her.""
Dad stared at the newspaper clipping.
Then he noticed a handwritten note on the back.
It was in my mother's handwriting.
He turned it over.
The note contained an address and a telephone number.
Below them were four words:
Rachel knows the truth.
Dad immediately called the number.
It rang once.
Twice.
Then a woman answered.
"Hello?""
Dad spoke carefully.
"Is this Rachel Parker?""
"Who's asking?""
"My name is Michael. I'm Laura's husband.""
Silence.
Then the woman whispered something that made Dad's entire expression change.
"Is Emily with you?""
Dad looked at me.
"Yes.""
Rachel took a shaky breath.
"Then you need to listen carefully. Vanessa has already done this to another family.""
May you like
And before Dad could ask another question, she added:
"She's not going to stop until she gets the house.""
