Chapter 4: The Will in My Name
I read the first paragraph three times.
Then a fourth.
The words still didn't make sense.
My father had named me primary beneficiary of the house.
Not Vanessa.
Me.
My hands began trembling.
"This can't be real.""
"It is," Mia said.
I looked up sharply.
"How do you know?""
"Because Mom completely lost it when she found it.""
I turned another page.
Dad's retirement accounts were divided between Mia and me.
There was money set aside for both our education.
But the house—the same house my mother and father had bought together before she died—would pass entirely to me.
A handwritten note was attached to the copy.
The house was purchased with Laura and belongs to Ava's history as much as mine. I want it protected for her.
My throat closed at my mother's name.
"When did Dad write this?""
"Last year.""
"Why would Vanessa have a copy?""
"She wasn't supposed to.""
Mia sat on the edge of my desk chair.
"Mom found it in Dad's office.""
"How?""
"I don't know. She was looking for something.""
"That's not an answer.""
"I know.""
I stared at her.
"Why are you helping me?""
Mia looked down.
For once, she had no sarcastic reply.
"Because I heard what Mom said after she found it.""
"What did she say?""
Mia's fingers tightened around the sleeve of her graduation gown.
"She said she'd spent five years building this family, and she wasn't going to let some dead woman and her daughter take everything away from her.""
My stomach turned.
"She called my mother that?""
Mia nodded.
"And you still cut my dress for her?""
Her eyes filled with shame.
"Yes.""
At least she didn't make excuses.
"Why?""
Mia stood.
"Because every time Mom talked about you, she made it sound like you were stealing something from me.""
"What could I possibly steal?""
"Dad.""
The answer came instantly.
I stared at her.
Mia paced toward my window.
"She'd say things like, 'Notice how Richard looks at Ava compared to you.'' Or, 'If Ava wasn't here, maybe he'd finally see you as his daughter too.''"
My anger shifted.
Not disappeared.
Shifted.
"Did you believe her?""
"For a while.""
"And today?""
Mia gave a bitter laugh.
"Today Dad took my bag because I destroyed something you worked for. Mom told me that proved he loved you more.""
She turned.
"But then I realized something.""
"What?""
"If he didn't care about me at all, he wouldn't bother teaching me anything.""
I didn't know what to say.
Downstairs, the front door opened.
Mia went rigid.
Vanessa's voice carried through the house.
"Mia?""
Mia grabbed the will from my hands.
"No.""
I pulled it back.
"She knows you took it?""
"Not yet.""
Footsteps sounded downstairs.
Then Dad's voice.
"Vanessa, we need to talk about this morning.""
Mia and I exchanged a look.
She whispered, "Hide it.""
I slid the papers beneath my mattress.
Seconds later, Vanessa appeared in my doorway.
Her eyes moved between us.
"What are you two doing?""
"Talking," I said.
"About?""
"Graduation.""
Vanessa studied Mia.
Mia looked terrified.
Vanessa smiled.
It wasn't warm.
"Sweetheart, can you come downstairs?""
Mia didn't move.
"Mia.""
"I'm staying here.""
Vanessa's smile vanished.
"Excuse me?""
"I said I'm staying.""
Something passed across Vanessa's face.
Fear.
Then she noticed the open envelope on my bed.
Her eyes locked onto it.
Everything changed.
"Mia.""
Her voice became dangerously quiet.
"What did you give her?""
"Nothing.""
Vanessa crossed the room.
I stepped in front of the bed.
"Get out of my room.""
"This is my house.""
"No," Dad said from behind her.
We all turned.
Dad stood in the hallway.
Vanessa forced a laugh.
"Richard, your daughter is being disrespectful.""
Dad didn't look at me.
He looked at Vanessa.
"Actually, this house belonged to Laura and me.""
Vanessa's face tightened.
"And now I'm your wife.""
"Which doesn't make Ava a guest.""
Silence.
Dad looked at Mia.
Then at me.
"What is going on?""
Nobody answered.
Vanessa stepped toward him.
"Nothing. The girls are emotional.""
Mia suddenly spoke.
"Mom found your will.""
Vanessa spun around.
"Mia!""
Dad went still.
"What?""
Mia's voice shook, but she continued.
"She found it months ago.""
Dad stared at Vanessa.
"You went through my office?""
Vanessa's face flushed.
"I was looking for insurance paperwork.""
"And copied my will?""
"You were leaving me nothing!""
"That's not true.""
"The house, Richard!""
Vanessa's voice rose.
"Your precious house goes to Ava!""
Dad's expression hardened.
"Because Ava's mother paid for half of it.""
"And I'm your wife now!""
"And Laura was my wife then.""
Vanessa recoiled as though he'd struck her.
Dad continued.
"That house represents money Laura earned too. I will not erase her contribution because she died.""
Vanessa's eyes filled with furious tears.
"So I'm second place forever?""
"This isn't a competition.""
"It has always been a competition!""
Mia flinched.
I didn't.
Because suddenly everything made sense.
The little insults.
The comparisons.
The resentment Vanessa fed Mia.
My shredded graduation dress had never been about fashion.
It was punishment.
Dad looked at Mia.
"How long have you known?""
"Three weeks.""
"And you didn't tell me?""
Mia lowered her head.
Vanessa stepped toward her.
"Don't you dare apologize.""
Mia looked up.
Something hardened inside her.
"No.""
Vanessa blinked.
"No what?""
"No more telling me what to think.""
Vanessa stared at her daughter.
Then she pointed at me.
"She's already turning you against me.""
"I'm not turning anyone against anyone," I said.
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
"You don't even have to try.""
Then Dad asked one quiet question.
"Vanessa, did you tell Mia to destroy Ava's dress?""
Vanessa froze.
May you like
And Mia answered for her.
"Yes.""
