Chapter 8: The Week Before Everything Changed
My father barely slept that night.
I knew because I woke up at 3 a.m. and saw the light under his office door.
I walked downstairs quietly.
The house felt different.
Not because Vanessa was there.
Because now we knew something had been hidden.
I found my father sitting at his desk.
The old notebook was open.
Photos were scattered everywhere.
He looked up.
“You should be sleeping.””
“So should you.””
A small smile appeared on his face.
The first one in days.
“Fair point.””
I sat beside him.
For a while, neither of us spoke.
Then I asked:
“Did Mom know?””
My father looked at me.
“Know what?””
“That Vanessa didn’t like me.””
He was quiet.
Then he nodded.
“I think she noticed.””
“Why didn’t you?””
The question came out before I could stop it.
My father looked hurt.
Not angry.
Just hurt.
“I thought I was protecting you.””
“How?””
He looked down.
“After your mother died, I was broken.””
I listened.
“Vanessa helped me. She was there when I couldn’t even get through a day without feeling lost.””
I looked at the photos.
“And you trusted her.””
“Yes.””
He paused.
“But I made a mistake.””
“What mistake?””
“I believed someone could love me and automatically love everything that came with me.””
I didn’t know what to say.
My father picked up an old photograph.
It was Mom holding me as a baby.
“She would have noticed.””
I looked at him.
“Mom?””
He nodded.
“She always noticed everything.””
The next morning, my father made a decision.
“We’re going to find out what happened.””
We went through old documents.
Old messages.
Old records.
Anything connected to the last months before my mother died.
Around noon, Rachel returned.
She brought a small box.
“I found this in storage.””
My father opened it.
Inside were more things from my mother.
A necklace.
A few photographs.
And a small recording device.
My father frowned.
“What is this?””
Rachel looked surprised.
“I forgot about that.””
“What is it?””
“Your mother recorded voice notes when she was sick.””
My heart stopped.
My father pressed the button.
At first, there was only static.
Then—
A voice.
My mother’s voice.
Older than I remembered.
Tired.
But still warm.
“Daniel…”
My father froze.
I grabbed his hand.
The recording continued.
“I don’t know if I’m being paranoid.””
My mother took a breath.
“But something about Vanessa has changed.””
My father looked at Rachel.
The recording continued.
“She used to ask about Noah. She used to play with him. But lately…”
A pause.
“Lately, she talks about him like he’s an obstacle.””
I covered my mouth.
My mother continued.
“I don’t want to accuse anyone unfairly.””
That sounded exactly like her.
Always kind.
Always careful.
“But if something happens to me, Daniel, please remember one thing.””
The recording became quiet.
Then her voice broke.
“Never let Noah believe he was the reason I left.””
My father closed his eyes.
A tear fell down his cheek.
I had never seen my dad cry like that.
Then the recording continued.
“There is something else you need to know.””
We all leaned closer.
My mother’s voice became softer.
“I found out Vanessa has been contacting someone from my past.””
My father looked confused.
“Who?””
The recording ended.
Just like that.
Silence.
My father pressed the button again.
Nothing.
The battery was dead.
Rachel whispered:
“Who was she contacting?””
My father looked at the device.
Then slowly stood.
“I know one person who might know.””
“Who?””
He looked toward the stairs.
May you like
Toward Vanessa’s room.
“My wife’s old friend.””
