Chapter 4: The Name on the Payment
For several seconds, I couldn't make myself look at the paper in Dad's hand.
Daniel Brooks.
My fiancé's name.
The man who had held me while I cried over my mother's empty chair. The man who had promised to stand beside me for the rest of our lives. The man who had kissed my forehead that morning and told me he couldn't wait to call me his wife.
His name was written beneath a bank account number in my stepmother's handwriting.
"That doesn't mean anything," I said.
Dad looked at me carefully.
"Emily, I'm not accusing Daniel of anything yet.""
"Then why are you looking at me like that?""
"Because someone in this house stole your mother's jewelry, and now your fiancé's name is connected to a payment from the person who stole it.""
Vanessa seized the opportunity.
"Exactly! That's what I've been trying to say. Daniel asked me for help with some wedding expenses.
I gave him money. There's nothing suspicious about that.""
I turned toward her.
"You gave Daniel money?""
"Yes.""
"When?""
"A few weeks ago.""
"How much?""
She hesitated.
"That isn't important.""
Dad placed the paper on his desk.
"It became important when we found it inside a safe containing your daughter's missing inheritance.""
Vanessa's eyes narrowed.
"You have no idea what that money was for.""
"Then explain it.""
She looked toward Madison.
My stepsister stood near the office door, twisting a strand of hair around her finger. For the first time since I'd entered the room, she seemed genuinely frightened.
"Mom," Madison whispered, "you said he wouldn't find out.""
The words escaped before she could stop them.
Vanessa spun around.
"Be quiet!""
Dad's expression hardened.
"Find out what?""
Madison immediately covered her mouth.
I stepped toward her.
"Madison, what did Daniel do?""
"Nothing!""
"Then why is his name on that paper?""
"Ask Mom!""
Vanessa grabbed Madison's arm.
"Stop talking.""
I stared at my stepmother.
"You knew Daniel was involved in something, didn't you?""
"I knew nothing about any theft!""
"That's not what I asked.""
Vanessa released Madison and straightened her cardigan.
"Daniel had financial problems. He asked me for a loan, and I helped him. I didn't tell you because I knew you'd make a fuss.""
"What financial problems?""
"Ask him yourself.""
The answer was too quick. Too rehearsed.
Dad picked up his phone.
"That's exactly what we're going to do.""
He called Daniel.
The phone rang twice before Daniel answered.
"Michael? Everything okay?""
Dad switched on the speaker.
"No, Daniel. Nothing is okay. I need you to come to the house immediately.""
A pause.
"What's happened?""
"Your name has appeared in connection with something that belongs to Emily.""
I heard Daniel exhale.
"Is this about the money Vanessa lent me?""
My stomach dropped.
Dad's eyes met mine.
"Yes. How much did she lend you?""
Another pause.
"Ten thousand dollars.""
Vanessa looked away.
Dad's voice became colder.
"And what was the loan for?""
"Personal expenses.""
"Which expenses?""
"Michael, I don't think this is a conversation we should have over the phone.""
"Then come here and have it in person.""
Daniel was silent.
Then he said something that made my fingers go numb.
"Emily, sweetheart, please don't believe whatever Vanessa tells you. She promised me this would never come back to you.""
I gripped the edge of Dad's desk.
"What does that mean, Daniel?""
He didn't answer immediately.
"Emily, I can explain everything.""
"Then explain it now.""
"I can't do this over the phone.""
"Why not?""
"Because I need you to hear the whole story.""
I could hear traffic in the background.
He wasn't at home.
He wasn't even somewhere quiet.
"Where are you?"" I asked.
"At the hotel.""
"Which hotel?""
"The one near the wedding venue.""
I glanced at the clock.
It was almost ten.
Daniel was supposed to be at his apartment, getting ready for our wedding rehearsal and an early night before the ceremony.
"Why are you at the hotel?""
"I needed some space to think.""
"About what?""
He didn't answer.
Then the call ended.
I stared at the screen.
Dad lowered his phone slowly.
Vanessa crossed her arms.
"Well, there you have it. Daniel borrowed money. That's all.""
"No," I said quietly.
"That's not all.""
I turned toward her.
"You knew about the necklace. You knew it was missing. You knew Daniel had received money from you, and you still stood in my bedroom and called me dramatic.""
Vanessa's expression hardened.
"Be careful, Emily.""
"Or what?""
She stepped closer.
"You have no idea how much your father has sacrificed for you. If this wedding falls apart, don't expect him to keep cleaning up your messes.""
Dad moved between us.
"Get away from my daughter.""
For once, Vanessa obeyed.
She walked out of the office without another word, dragging Madison behind her.
Dad waited until their footsteps disappeared.
Then he sat down heavily in his chair.
"I should have seen this coming," he murmured.
I shook my head.
"You trusted her.""
"I trusted the woman I married.""
"And I trusted Daniel.""
He reached for my hand.
"Emily, you don't have to go through with the wedding tomorrow. Whatever is happening, you have the right to stop.""
I looked down at my engagement ring.
Daniel had proposed beneath the oak tree where we'd shared our first kiss. He'd cried when he asked me to marry him. I'd laughed through my tears and said yes before he'd even finished the question.
I wanted that man to be real.
I wanted this to be a misunderstanding.
But I couldn't marry someone whose secrets were beginning to look as ugly as the stains on my wedding dress.
"I'm going to the hotel," I said.
Dad stood immediately.
"I'm coming with you.""
"No. I need to hear it from Daniel without everyone speaking for him.""
He studied my face.
"Then take my car. Keep your phone on, and call me the moment you need me.""
I nodded and headed for the door.
Just before I reached the stairs, Dad called my name.
"Emily?""
I turned.
He held up the paper again.
"There is one thing I haven't told you.""
"What?""
"I checked the date on Vanessa's bank transfer.""
He paused.
"The money was sent to Daniel two days before your engagement party.""
I stared at him.
Two days before Daniel had slipped the ring onto my finger.
May you like
Two days before he had looked into my eyes and promised me forever.
And suddenly, I couldn't stop wondering whether our engagement had ever been what I thought it was.
