Chapter 5: The Letter She Left for Me
My father picked up the envelope with trembling hands.
My mother's handwriting was unmistakable.
Emily.
Just seeing those five letters made my throat tighten.
I hadn't seen her handwriting in years.
Dad carefully turned the envelope over.
It was sealed with a small piece of yellowed tape.
"Where did you get this?"" he asked Vanessa.
She stood on the staircase.
"I don't know.""
"Then why were you holding it?""
"I found the box in the study.""
Dad looked at the metal safe.
"That safe was supposed to be locked.""
Vanessa said nothing.
Kayla stood behind her, clutching her phone.
I reached for the envelope.
"Can I have it?""
Dad handed it to me.
My fingers shook as I broke the seal.
Inside was a folded letter and a small photograph.
The photograph showed my mother sitting on the porch of Grandma Evelyn's house, holding me in her arms.
On the back, she had written:
For my Emily, when the world finally feels too heavy.
I unfolded the letter.
The paper smelled faintly of old books.
Then I began reading.
My sweet girl,
If you're reading this, you're old enough to understand that life doesn't always give us the people we need for as long as we want them.
I wish I could be beside you on your graduation day. I wish I could fix your hair, choose your shoes, and tell you that you're going to do wonderful things.
My eyes filled.
Dad stood silently beside me.
I continued.
I have made arrangements to protect your future. The money is yours, but it is not the most important thing I've left you.
There is something about our family that I need you to know.
I stopped.
Dad leaned closer.
"What is it?""
I read the next paragraph aloud.
My father, your grandfather, left me a property outside Savannah. It is more than a house. It is where our family began. I have arranged for it to pass directly to you when you turn eighteen.
Vanessa suddenly laughed.
"That's ridiculous.""
I looked up.
"What's ridiculous?""
"That property isn't worth anything.""
Dad turned toward her.
"How would you know?""
She didn't answer.
I continued reading.
There is also a business interest attached to the property. Your grandfather established a small investment company years ago. I retained my ownership share after inheriting it.
Dad frowned.
"Investment company?""
I looked at him.
"You knew about this?""
He shook his head.
"No.""
The letter continued.
I want you to understand that you never have to accept mistreatment in exchange for having a place to live. You are loved. You deserve respect. And nobody has the right to make you feel like a guest in your own family.
I pressed the letter against my chest.
For a moment, I could almost hear my mother's voice.
Then I reached the final paragraph.
If anyone tries to interfere with your inheritance, contact the person named in the second envelope. He knows the complete history of our family and will help you.
I looked inside the envelope.
There was a small business card.
*Daniel Brooks — Estate Trustee.*
Dad immediately took a photograph of it.
"Martin needs to see this.""
Vanessa suddenly rushed down the stairs.
"Give me that letter.""
Dad stepped between us.
"Don't come near her.""
"You don't understand what you're doing!""
"Then explain it.""
Vanessa's voice rose.
"Your first wife was obsessed with money! She wanted to make sure Emily had everything while Kayla got nothing!""
I stared at her.
"Why should Kayla get my mother's inheritance?""
"Because we were supposed to be a family!""
"You destroyed that family yourself.""
Vanessa looked at Dad.
"Richard, I sacrificed everything for you.""
Dad laughed bitterly.
"You sacrificed my daughter's future?""
"I kept this household running!""
"With whose money?""
She opened her mouth, then closed it.
Kayla finally spoke.
"Mom, just tell them about the company.""
Vanessa spun around.
"Go upstairs!""
"No! I'm tired of this!""
Kayla looked at Dad.
"Mom told Jordan that once the property was sold, we would have enough money to move to California.""
Dad stared.
"California?""
Kayla nodded.
"She said she was going to divorce you after Emily graduated.""
The words landed like a physical blow.
Dad looked at Vanessa.
"Is that true?""
Vanessa's expression changed.
For a moment, she looked almost relieved.
Then she lifted her chin.
"Maybe I was considering it.""
Dad stared at her.
"After stealing from my daughter?""
"I was going to leave anyway!""
"Then why take her inheritance?""
Vanessa's voice became sharp.
"Because I deserved something after everything I've put up with!""
I couldn't believe her.
She was talking about my mother's money as if it were compensation for living in our house.
Dad took out his phone.
"Martin is coming here tomorrow morning. Until then, nobody touches those documents.""
Vanessa shook her head.
"You think an attorney can solve everything?""
"No. But he can make sure you don't destroy any more evidence.""
She looked at me.
"You think you've won?""
I didn't answer.
She leaned closer.
"Your mother wasn't the perfect person you think she was.""
Dad immediately stepped forward.
"Get away from her.""
Vanessa smiled.
"Ask your father why he never told you what happened the last week before your mother died.""
I froze.
Dad's face went pale.
"What are you talking about?""
Vanessa grabbed her purse.
"Ask him why your mother changed her will at the very last minute.""
Then she walked out.
The front door slammed.
I turned toward my father.
"Is there something else you haven't told me?""
He looked down at the letter.
His eyes were wet.
"Emily, your mother and I had a conversation shortly before she died. There was something she wanted me to promise.""
"What?""
He struggled to speak.
"She asked me never to let anyone take you away from me.""
My heart began pounding.
"Who was going to take me?""
Dad looked toward the closed front door.
May you like
Then he whispered:
"Your biological father.""
