Chapter 6: The Person Who Knew Too Much
I drove to Lily’s school faster than I should have.
Every red light felt like an obstacle.
Every second felt dangerous.
Someone had been helping Vanessa.
That thought kept repeating in my head.
Someone had been giving her information.
Someone had been watching my daughter.
When I arrived, the principal, Mr. Harris, met me in his office.
“Mr. Carter, is everything okay?””
“No.””
I placed my phone on his desk.
“I need to know who has accessed Lily’s records.””
He looked confused.
“Her records?””
“Her schedule. Pickup information. Emergency contacts.””
His expression changed.
“Why?””
“Because someone who shouldn’t know where she is has been following her.””
He immediately became serious.
“Give me a moment.””
He checked the system.
I watched every movement.
Every click.
Finally, he stopped.
“Mr. Carter…”
“What?””
“There was a recent update.””
My heart started pounding.
“When?””
“Two weeks ago.””
“Who made it?””
He looked at the screen.
Then looked at me.
“Vanessa.””
I felt sick.
“She changed the information?””
“She added herself as an approved emergency contact.””
My hands went cold.
“I never approved that.””
Mr. Harris frowned.
“She submitted the paperwork.””
“Without me?””
He nodded slowly.
“She provided documents showing she was your fiancée and future stepmother.””
I couldn’t speak.
Vanessa had been preparing.
This wasn’t about one bad day.
This was planned.
“She wanted access,” I whispered.
Mr. Harris looked concerned.
“Mr. Carter, should we remove her?””
“Yes.””
“Immediately?””
“Yes.””
As I signed the paperwork, my phone rang.
Unknown number.
Again.
I answered.
“Hello?””
A woman spoke.
“James?””
I recognized the voice.
The bridesmaid.
“Who is this?””
“It’s Claire.””
The same woman who warned me about the footage.
“What’s happening?””
She hesitated.
“I need to tell you something before Vanessa finds out I called.””
My grip tightened around the phone.
“Tell me.””
Claire lowered her voice.
“Vanessa didn’t start this at the wedding.””
“What does that mean?””
“She’s been angry for months.””
“Why?””
A long pause.
Then Claire said:
“Because of Lily’s inheritance.””
I froze.
“What inheritance?””
Claire exhaled.
“I knew you didn’t know.””
My mind raced.
“What are you talking about?””
“Lily’s mother left something behind.””
I stared out the school window.
“What?””
“Money. Property. A trust.””
I felt dizzy.
“But Lily is six.””
“Exactly.””
Claire’s voice became softer.
“Vanessa knew that.””
The pieces started connecting.
The pictures.
The records.
The pressure.
The need to become Lily’s mother.
“Where did she learn about it?””
Claire was silent.
Then:
“She didn’t learn it.””
My stomach tightened.
“What do you mean?””
“She found the documents.””
“When?””
“Months ago.””
I looked at the school hallway.
Children were walking by.
Laughing.
Living normal lives.
My daughter’s life had been anything but normal.
“Claire,” I said slowly, “why are you telling me this?””
Another pause.
Then she answered.
“Because I helped her.””
My heart stopped.
“What?””
“I helped Vanessa get information.””
I stood up.
“Why?””
Her voice cracked.
“Because she lied to me too.””
I didn’t say anything.
Claire continued.
“She told me you were ignoring Lily’s problems. She told me she was trying to save your family.””
“Then what changed?””
“I saw what she did at the wedding.””
The line went quiet.
Then Claire whispered:
“James, there’s something else you need to know.””
“What?””
“I wasn’t the only person helping her.””
My blood ran cold.
“Who else?””
Claire took a shaky breath.
“The person closest to you.””
The call ended.
I stared at the phone.
Slowly, another notification appeared.
A message from Vanessa.
May you like
One sentence.
*“Ask Marcus why he never told you.””*
