Chapter 5: The Witness Vanessa Forgot
Vanessa’s sister, Claire, had always stayed away from our family.
I had met her only twice.
Both times, she seemed uncomfortable around Vanessa.
The first time was when I was sixteen.
Vanessa had introduced her as someone who “liked drama too much.””
At the time, I believed her.
Now I wondered if Vanessa had been afraid of what Claire knew.
My father drove us to Claire’s apartment that afternoon.
Nobody spoke during the entire trip.
The silence felt like a storm waiting to break.
When we arrived, the door was slightly open.
“Claire?”” my father called.
No answer.
He pushed the door wider.
The apartment was a mess.
Not like someone had moved out.
Like someone had searched through everything.
Drawers were open.
Papers covered the floor.
A lamp was broken near the couch.
Dylan looked around.
“She was looking for something.””
My father stepped inside.
“Claire?””
Then a voice came from the bedroom.
“Richard?””
We turned.
An older woman stood in the doorway.
Claire.
She looked terrified.
“Thank God you came.””
My father walked toward her.
“What happened?””
She looked past him.
At me.
At Dylan.
Then she whispered:
“Vanessa knows.””
My blood ran cold.
“Knows what?””
Claire looked at me.
“The truth about your grandmother.””
Nobody moved.
My father closed the door.
“Start talking.””
Claire sat down slowly.
Her hands shook.
“I should have told you years ago.””
“About what?”” I asked.
She looked at me with guilt.
“About the inheritance.””
I felt my jaw tighten.
“Everyone keeps saying that.””
“Because everyone was afraid.””
“Afraid of Vanessa?””
Claire nodded.
I laughed quietly.
“My whole family was afraid of my stepmother?””
Claire looked down.
“You don’t know what she’s capable of.””
Dylan crossed his arms.
“Then explain.””
Claire took a deep breath.
“Marcus Hale wasn’t just Vanessa’s first husband.””
My father stared.
“What?””
Claire looked at him.
“He was her partner.””
“In what?””
Claire hesitated.
“Taking money.””
The room went quiet.
My father sat down.
“I don’t understand.””
Claire looked at the floor.
“Vanessa met Marcus before she met you.””
My father’s face hardened.
“She never told me.””
“Because she didn’t want you to know.””
Claire continued.
“They worked together. Marcus handled investments. Vanessa handled relationships.””
My stomach turned.
“Relationships?””
Claire nodded.
“She convinced wealthy people to trust her.””
Dylan’s expression changed.
“Scams?””
Claire didn’t answer.
She didn’t need to.
My father looked sick.
“And my mother?””
Claire looked at me.
“Your grandmother discovered what they were doing.””
I felt a cold wave move through me.
“She knew?””
“Yes.””
“When?””
“Before she died.””
My father stood.
“Then why didn’t she tell us?””
Claire looked at him.
“She tried.””
The words hit the room.
“She tried?””
Claire nodded.
“She was preparing to expose them.””
I remembered the note.
Ask him about 1998.
“What happened in 1998?””
Claire looked at me.
“That was the year Marcus disappeared.””
My father went still.
“And Vanessa?””
Claire’s eyes filled with tears.
“She helped him.””
Nobody spoke.
Then Claire reached into her bag.
She pulled out a small envelope.
“I found this after your grandmother died.””
My heart started racing.
“Why didn’t you give it to me?””
“Because Vanessa threatened me.””
My father stepped forward.
“What did she threaten you with?””
Claire looked at him.
“Your family.””
She handed me the envelope.
My name was written across the front.
Not my full name.
Just:
*Nia.*
My hands shook as I opened it.
Inside was a letter.
My grandmother’s handwriting.
I read the first line.
*“My dearest Nia, if you are reading this, it means Vanessa succeeded in hiding the truth from you.””*
I stopped.
My eyes filled with tears.
She knew.
She knew this would happen.
I continued reading.
*“The money was never the most important thing. The truth was.””*
Then I turned the page.
May you like
The next sentence made my entire body go cold.
*“Your father is not the person you think he is.””*
