HEARTLESS: The Christmas Tree She Destroyed Became Her Biggest Mistake

“Richard, it’s done. Eleanor won’t be telling anyone what she knows.””

Van## Chapter 7: The Voicemail That Changed Everything

“Richard, it’s done. Eleanor won’t be telling anyone what she knows.””

Vanessa’s voice came through the phone speaker, calm and unmistakable.

For threeessa’s voice came through the phone speaker, calm and unmistakable.

For three seconds, nobody moved.

Then the recording continued.

“Where is the envelope?”” seconds, nobody moved.

Then the recording continued.

“Where is the envelope?”” a man asked.

Richard.

“The a man asked.

Richard.

“The safe-deposit key is gone,” Vanessa replied.

“I couldn’t find it.””

“You safe-deposit key is gone,” Vanessa replied.

“I couldn’t find it.””

“You said you knew where she kept it.””

“I thought I did!””

There was a sharp sound, like a door slamming.

Richard spoke said you knew where she kept it.””

“I thought I did!””

There was a sharp sound, like a door slamming.

Richard spoke again, his voice colder this time.

“You had one job, Vanessa. One. Get again, his voice colder this time.

“You had one job, Vanessa. One. Get the key, get the ledger, and make sure she couldn't cause the key, get the ledger, and make sure she couldn't cause any more trouble.””

“I did what you asked!””

“Then why am I still worried any more trouble.””

“I did what you asked!””

“Then why am I still worried?””

The recording crackled.

Vanessa lowered her voice.

“Because she told Pearl everything.””

A?””

The recording crackled.

Vanessa lowered her voice.

“Because she told Pearl everything.””

A long silence followed.

Then Richard said something that made Grandma Pearl grab the edge of the fireplace mantel long silence followed.

Then Richard said something that made Grandma Pearl grab the edge of the fireplace mantel.

“Did she change the trust?””

“Yes.””

“And the girl.

“Did she change the trust?””

“Yes.””

“And the girl?””

“She doesn't know anything.””

“Make sure it stays that way.””

The recording ended.

My father's?””

“She doesn't know anything.””

“Make sure it stays that way.””

The recording ended.

My father's phone slipped from his hand and landed on the carpet.

He stared at the screen, his face drained of color.

“No,” he phone slipped from his hand and landed on the carpet.

He stared at the screen, his face drained of color.

“No,” he whispered.

“No, that can't be what it sounds like.””

Grandma Pearl picked up the phone.

“It sounds exactly like what it is.””

Dad shook his head violently.

"Vanessa wouldn't—she whispered.

“No, that can't be what it sounds like.””

Grandma Pearl picked up the phone.

“It sounds exactly like what it is.””

Dad shook his head violently.

"Vanessa wouldn't—she couldn't have—"

"Daniel."" Grandma Pearl's voice was firm.

"Listen to the couldn't have—"

"Daniel."" Grandma Pearl's voice was firm.

"Listen to the words. Stop trying to turn them into something easier to accept.""

I couldn't speak.

My words. Stop trying to turn them into something easier to accept.""

I couldn't speak.

My stepmother had stood beside my father's hospital bed after Mom died. She'd brought flowers to the funeral stepmother had stood beside my father's hospital bed after Mom died. She'd brought flowers to the funeral. She'd hugged me when I cried and promised that she'd never try to replace my mother.

And all that. She'd hugged me when I cried and promised that she'd never try to replace my mother.

And all that time, she'd apparently known something about Mom's final hours.

Something she'd hidden for three years.

"Play it again," I whispered.

Grand time, she'd apparently known something about Mom's final hours.

Something she'd hidden for three years.

"Play it again," I whispered.

Grandma Pearl looked at me.

"Lily, darling—"

"Please.""

She pressed play.

I listened to every word,ma Pearl looked at me.

"Lily, darling—"

"Please.""

She pressed play.

I listened to every word, forcing myself not to look away when Vanessa's voice came through the speaker.

*I did what you forcing myself not to look away when Vanessa's voice came through the speaker.

I did what you asked.

She doesn't know anything.

Make sure it stays that way.

When the recording ended, I realized my asked.*

She doesn't know anything.

Make sure it stays that way.

When the recording ended, I realized my hands were shaking so badly that I had to grip the back of a chair.

"She knew," I said hands were shaking so badly that I had to grip the back of a chair.

"She knew," I said.

"She knew Mom was investigating the foundation. She knew about the trust. And she knew something happened that.

"She knew Mom was investigating the foundation. She knew about the trust. And she knew something happened that night.""

Grandma Pearl nodded slowly.

"Yes.""

"Then why did nobody investigate this night.""

Grandma Pearl nodded slowly.

"Yes.""

"Then why did nobody investigate this?""

"Because we didn't have this recording.""

"Who saved it?""

My?""

"Because we didn't have this recording.""

"Who saved it?""

My grandmother examined the phone.

"The voicemail appears to have been preserved in an archived account. We'll grandmother examined the phone.

"The voicemail appears to have been preserved in an archived account. We'll need a digital forensic specialist to verify its origin, date, and integrity before anyone makes conclusions about what it need a digital forensic specialist to verify its origin, date, and integrity before anyone makes conclusions about what it proves.""

I stared at her.

"But you heard her!""

"I heard a recording proves.""

I stared at her.

"But you heard her!""

"I heard a recording that appears to contain her voice. We need to establish when it was made and whether it has that appears to contain her voice. We need to establish when it was made and whether it has been altered. If it is authentic, it could be extremely important.""

My father finally lifted his head.

" been altered. If it is authentic, it could be extremely important.""

My father finally lifted his head.

"Where did this come from?""

Grandma Pearl turned the screen toward him.

"ItWhere did this come from?""

Grandma Pearl turned the screen toward him.

"It was stored in an old voicemail account associated with the number Richard used before he disappeared. Somehow was stored in an old voicemail account associated with the number Richard used before he disappeared. Somehow, it was transferred to the phone you received the call on.""

Dad frowned.

"I didn't transfer, it was transferred to the phone you received the call on.""

Dad frowned.

"I didn't transfer anything.""

"Then someone with access to the account may have done it.""

He looked toward the front door.

"Van anything.""

"Then someone with access to the account may have done it.""

He looked toward the front door.

"Vanessa.""

None of us said anything.

The silence was anessa.""

None of us said anything.

The silence was an answer in itself.

Dad grabbed his coat.

"I'm going to find her.""

Grandma answer in itself.

Dad grabbed his coat.

"I'm going to find her.""

Grandma Pearl stepped directly in front of him.

"No.""

"Move, Pearl.""

"Absolutely not.""

"She Pearl stepped directly in front of him.

"No.""

"Move, Pearl.""

"Absolutely not.""

"She may know what happened to Eleanor!""

"Which is precisely why you will not confront her alone may know what happened to Eleanor!""

"Which is precisely why you will not confront her alone, in anger, before we've secured the evidence.""

Dad's face reddened.

", in anger, before we've secured the evidence.""

Dad's face reddened.

"She's my wife!""

"And Eleanor was your wife before her.""

The words stopped him.

GrandShe's my wife!""

"And Eleanor was your wife before her.""

The words stopped him.

Grandma Pearl's voice softened, but her eyes remained hard.

"Your grief does not give you permissionma Pearl's voice softened, but her eyes remained hard.

"Your grief does not give you permission to destroy evidence or endanger yourself. We will contact the attorney, preserve the recording, and report the matter to the appropriate authorities. If Vanessa is to destroy evidence or endanger yourself.

We will contact the attorney, preserve the recording, and report the matter to the appropriate authorities. If Vanessa is involved, let the investigators establish the extent of it.""

Dad sank onto the sofa.

involved, let the investigators establish the extent of it.""

Dad sank onto the sofa.

For the first time that night, he looked less like a man trying to defend himself and more like a father who had finallyFor the first time that night, he looked less like a man trying to defend himself and more like a father who had finally realized how much he had failed to see.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

I looked at him.

"To whom?""

He raised realized how much he had failed to see.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

I looked at him.

"To whom?""

He raised his head.

"To you. To your mother.""

I wanted to forgive him.

Part of me still his head.

"To you. To your mother.""

I wanted to forgive him.

Part of me still remembered the father who carried me on his shoulders at the Fourth of July parade, who taught remembered the father who carried me on his shoulders at the Fourth of July parade, who taught me to ride a bicycle, who stayed awake all night when I had pneumonia.

But another part remembered the years of me to ride a bicycle, who stayed awake all night when I had pneumonia.

But another part remembered the years of silence.

The missing inheritance.

The explanations that never explained anything.

"I don't know how silence.

The missing inheritance.

The explanations that never explained anything.

"I don't know how to believe you anymore," I said.

He nodded, tears gathering in his eyes.

"I understand to believe you anymore," I said.

He nodded, tears gathering in his eyes.

"I understand.""

"No, Dad. You don't. You kept telling me to be patient because you thought you were protecting me. But every.""

"No, Dad. You don't. You kept telling me to be patient because you thought you were protecting me. But every time you stayed quiet, Vanessa learned she could do something worse.""

He time you stayed quiet, Vanessa learned she could do something worse.""

He lowered his head.

I turned away before he could answer.

Grandma Pearl wrapped an lowered his head.

I turned away before he could answer.

Grandma Pearl wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"We'll take this one step at a time.""

That night, I barely slept.

I sat arm around my shoulders.

"We'll take this one step at a time.""

That night, I barely slept.

I sat on my bedroom floor with the surviving ornaments arranged in a small circle around me. The glass on my bedroom floor with the surviving ornaments arranged in a small circle around me. The glass snowflake was cracked, but still intact.

The little wooden house lay in pieces inside a sho snowflake was cracked, but still intact. The little wooden house lay in pieces inside a shoebox. The porcelain angel had lost one wing.

I held the angel in my palm and rememberedebox. The porcelain angel had lost one wing.

I held the angel in my palm and remembered my mother laughing as she tried to attach its crooked wings with glue.

"Perfect my mother laughing as she tried to attach its crooked wings with glue.

"Perfect things are overrated," she'd told me.

"It's the things we repair that teach things are overrated," she'd told me.

"It's the things we repair that teach us how much we care.""

I pressed the ornament against my chest.

For the first time since her death, I wondered us how much we care.""

I pressed the ornament against my chest.

For the first time since her death, I wondered whether the memories I cherished were only part of a much darker story.

At whether the memories I cherished were only part of a much darker story.

At 7:12 the next morning, Grandma Pearl knocked on my door.

She was dressed in a navy coat 7:12 the next morning, Grandma Pearl knocked on my door.

She was dressed in a navy coat, with her silver hair neatly pinned and a folder tucked beneath her arm.

"The attorney is meeting, with her silver hair neatly pinned and a folder tucked beneath her arm.

"The attorney is meeting us at the hospital," she said.

"The investigators have also requested that we preserve any original documents us at the hospital," she said.

"The investigators have also requested that we preserve any original documents connected to your mother's final days.""

I stood up.

"Are they going to arrest Vanessa?""

"Not based on a connected to your mother's final days.""

I stood up.

"Are they going to arrest Vanessa?""

"Not based on a voicemail alone. The authorities will need to establish what happened, when it happened, and voicemail alone. The authorities will need to establish what happened, when it happened, and whether any criminal conduct occurred.""

I nodded.

"Then let's find out.""

The hospital looked smaller whether any criminal conduct occurred.""

I nodded.

"Then let's find out.""

The hospital looked smaller than I remembered.

Three years earlier, its white corridors had seemed endless. Now I noticed than I remembered.

Three years earlier, its white corridors had seemed endless. Now I noticed the ordinary details: the coffee machine near the entrance, the receptionist arguing gently with a delivery driver, the little the ordinary details: the coffee machine near the entrance, the receptionist arguing gently with a delivery driver, the little Christmas wreath hanging crookedly on the wall.

Grandma Pearl held my hand as we approached Christmas wreath hanging crookedly on the wall.

Grandma Pearl held my hand as we approached the records department.

A woman named Ms. Collins met us in a small consultation the records department.

A woman named Ms. Collins met us in a small consultation room. She was the hospital's records manager, a careful woman in her fifties who spoke room. She was the hospital's records manager, a careful woman in her fifties who spoke slowly and asked us to explain exactly what we were seeking.

"We're requesting records connected slowly and asked us to explain exactly what we were seeking.

"We're requesting records connected to Eleanor Bennett's final admission," Grandma Pearl said.

"Including visitor logs, medication administration records, and to Eleanor Bennett's final admission," Grandma Pearl said.

"Including visitor logs, medication administration records, and any preserved incident reports.""

Ms. Collins nodded.

"Some records may be subject to retention limits. We'll need to verify what's any preserved incident reports.""

Ms. Collins nodded.

"Some records may be subject to retention limits. We'll need to verify what's still available and what can legally be released. The hospital cannot simply hand over another still available and what can legally be released. The hospital cannot simply hand over another patient's private information, but we can explain the formal process.""

Grandma Pearl produced the attorney's letter patient's private information, but we can explain the formal process.""

Grandma Pearl produced the attorney's letter.

Ms. Collins read it carefully.

"I can begin the review today," she said.

"However, there is.

Ms. Collins read it carefully.

"I can begin the review today," she said.

"However, there is one unusual item in the archived file.""

My heart started racing.

"What item one unusual item in the archived file.""

My heart started racing.

"What item?"" I asked.

She looked at me.

"A note entered by a nurse on the night your mother died.?"" I asked.

She looked at me.

"A note entered by a nurse on the night your mother died. It states that a visitor requested access to the patient's room after visiting hours. The request It states that a visitor requested access to the patient's room after visiting hours. The request was denied initially, but the visitor was later admitted with permission from a family member.""

"Who was was denied initially, but the visitor was later admitted with permission from a family member.""

"Who was the visitor?"" Grandma Pearl asked.

Ms. Collins checked the file.

"The name recorded here is Vanessa the visitor?"" Grandma Pearl asked.

Ms. Collins checked the file.

"The name recorded here is Vanessa Bennett.""

My knees nearly gave way.

Grandma Pearl's fingers tightened around mine.

"Who authorized the Bennett.""

My knees nearly gave way.

Grandma Pearl's fingers tightened around mine.

"Who authorized the visit?""

Ms. Collins turned the page.

"The entry says Daniel Bennett.""

My father.

I visit?""

Ms. Collins turned the page.

"The entry says Daniel Bennett.""

My father.

I stared at the paper.

"No," I whispered.

"Dad was already at the hospital.""

Ms. Collins nodded.

stared at the paper.

"No," I whispered.

"Dad was already at the hospital.""

Ms. Collins nodded.

"According to the record, he was present.""

Grandma Pearl leaned forward.

"Is there a note about the patient's"According to the record, he was present.""

Grandma Pearl leaned forward.

"Is there a note about the patient's condition before and after the visit?""

Ms. Collins checked another page.

"There is. Before the visit condition before and after the visit?""

Ms. Collins checked another page.

"There is. Before the visit, the nurse documented that Ms. Bennett was awake, responsive, and asking questions.

Afterward, the nurse recorded, the nurse documented that Ms. Bennett was awake, responsive, and asking questions. Afterward, the nurse recorded a change in her level of alertness and contacted the attending physician.""

My stomach twisted.

"Did the doctor know a change in her level of alertness and contacted the attending physician.""

My stomach twisted.

"Did the doctor know what caused it?""

"The note doesn't establish a cause. It only records that the physician was contacted.""

Grand what caused it?""

"The note doesn't establish a cause. It only records that the physician was contacted.""

Grandma Pearl took a careful breath.

"We need a certified copy of that entry, along with the medication records and any relatedma Pearl took a careful breath.

"We need a certified copy of that entry, along with the medication records and any related incident reports. Please preserve the originals while the request is reviewed.""

Ms. Collins nodded.

"I'll flag the records for preservation incident reports. Please preserve the originals while the request is reviewed.""

Ms. Collins nodded.

"I'll flag the records for preservation.""

Then she hesitated.

"There is one more thing.""

She opened a separate folder.

"This was submitted.""

Then she hesitated.

"There is one more thing.""

She opened a separate folder.

"This was submitted to the hospital three years ago by a family member. It was a written request to restrict access to certain records. The request was to the hospital three years ago by a family member.

It was a written request to restrict access to certain records. The request was later withdrawn, but the original paperwork remains in the archive.""

Grandma Pearl looked at the page.

"Who submitted later withdrawn, but the original paperwork remains in the archive.""

Grandma Pearl looked at the page.

"Who submitted it?""

Ms. Collins turned the document around.

The signature was clear.

Daniel Bennett.

My father had it?""

Ms. Collins turned the document around.

The signature was clear.

Daniel Bennett.

My father had asked the hospital to restrict access to records from the night Mom died.

I felt the asked the hospital to restrict access to records from the night Mom died.

I felt the floor disappear beneath me.

"Why would he do that?"" I whispered.

Grandma Pearl didn't answer.

She was staring at the date.

The request had been submitted two days after Mom's funeral.

And beside the signature was a handwritten note.

*Please ensure floor disappear beneath me.

"Why would he do that?"" I whispered.

Grandma Pearl didn't answer.

She was staring at the date.

The request had been submitted two days after Mom's funeral.

And beside the signature was a handwritten note.

Please ensure that no additional copies are released without my approval.

I couldn't look at it anymore.

I stepped into the corridor, struggling to breathe.

Grandma Pearl followed me that no additional copies are released without my approval.*

I couldn't look at it anymore.

I stepped into the corridor, struggling to breathe.

Grandma Pearl followed me.

"Lily—"

"Did he know?"" I demanded.

"Did Dad know what happened to Mom?""

"I.

"Lily—"

"Did he know?"" I demanded.

"Did Dad know what happened to Mom?""

"I don't know.""

"But he tried to stop people from seeing the records!""

"Yes.""

I don't know.""

"But he tried to stop people from seeing the records!""

"Yes.""

I pressed my hands against my face.

"Everybody knew something. Everybody kept secrets. And I was the only person pressed my hands against my face.

"Everybody knew something. Everybody kept secrets. And I was the only person who thought Mom's death was just something terrible that happened.""

Grandma Pearl drew who thought Mom's death was just something terrible that happened.""

Grandma Pearl drew me into her arms.

For a moment, I let myself cry.

Then a man in a gray suit approached us from the elevator.

He introduced himself as Martin Hayes me into her arms.

For a moment, I let myself cry.

Then a man in a gray suit approached us from the elevator.

He introduced himself as Martin Hayes, the attorney who had represented my mother when she amended the trust. He'd been contacted, the attorney who had represented my mother when she amended the trust. He'd been contacted that morning after Grandma Pearl forwarded the initial documents.

"I've reviewed the trust agreement," that morning after Grandma Pearl forwarded the initial documents.

"I've reviewed the trust agreement," he said.

"The unauthorized withdrawals are serious. The forged authorization is especially concerning. But there's something else you need to know.""

He he said.

"The unauthorized withdrawals are serious. The forged authorization is especially concerning. But there's something else you need to know.""

He opened his briefcase and removed a sealed envelope.

"Eleanor gave me this shortly before she died. She instructed me to opened his briefcase and removed a sealed envelope.

"Eleanor gave me this shortly before she died. She instructed me to release it only if the trust was threatened or if evidence emerged that someone had interfered with her release it only if the trust was threatened or if evidence emerged that someone had interfered with her financial records.""

Grandma Pearl went still.

"Why didn't you tell me?""

"Because I never received evidence that met the financial records.""

Grandma Pearl went still.

"Why didn't you tell me?""

"Because I never received evidence that met the conditions she set. Until last night.""

He handed the envelope to me.

My name was written across the front.

Lily Rose Bennett.

conditions she set. Until last night.""

He handed the envelope to me.

My name was written across the front.

Lily Rose Bennett.

Beneath it, in my mother's handwriting, were six words.

*If Vanessa returnsBeneath it, in my mother's handwriting, were six words.

If Vanessa returns, find the blue room.

I stared at the envelope.

"What blue room?""

Grandma Pearl's face, find the blue room.*

I stared at the envelope.

"What blue room?""

Grandma Pearl's face had gone pale.

She looked toward the hospital's glass entrance, where snow-white Christmas had gone pale.

She looked toward the hospital's glass entrance, where snow-white Christmas decorations hung above the doors.

Then she whispered, "The house your mother grew up in.""

Martin frowned decorations hung above the doors.

Then she whispered, "The house your mother grew up in.""

Martin frowned.

"Pearl, I thought that property had been sold.""

"It was supposed to have been.""

"Pearl, I thought that property had been sold.""

"It was supposed to have been.""

I looked between them.

"Supposed to have been?""

Grandma Pearl closed her eyes.

"Your looked between them.

"Supposed to have been?""

Grandma Pearl closed her eyes.

"Your mother inherited a small house from her parents. It was sold after her father died, or mother inherited a small house from her parents. It was sold after her father died, or so we believed.

But Eleanor once told me she'd kept a room there untouched, with something important hidden behind the so we believed. But Eleanor once told me she'd kept a room there untouched, with something important hidden behind the walls.""

"What was hidden?""

"I never knew.""

Martin examined the envelope.

"If walls.""

"What was hidden?""

"I never knew.""

Martin examined the envelope.

"If the property still exists, the title records may tell us who owns it now.""

Grandma Pearl shook the property still exists, the title records may tell us who owns it now.""

Grandma Pearl shook her head slowly.

"That won't be necessary.""

I looked at her.

"Why?""

She met her head slowly.

"That won't be necessary.""

I looked at her.

"Why?""

She met my eyes.

"Because I know who bought it.""

Before she could say another word my eyes.

"Because I know who bought it.""

Before she could say another word, Martin's phone rang.

He listened, his expression growing increasingly troubled.

Then he lowered the phone.

"The, Martin's phone rang.

He listened, his expression growing increasingly troubled.

Then he lowered the phone.

"The bank has confirmed that the $120,000 withdrawal was requested using forged documents. But the account bank has confirmed that the $120,000 withdrawal was requested using forged documents. But the account that received the money has just been emptied.""

"Where did the money go that received the money has just been emptied.""

"Where did the money go?"" I asked.

Martin looked at Grandma Pearl.

"An account registered to a company that purchased?"" I asked.

Martin looked at Grandma Pearl.

"An account registered to a company that purchased the property where Eleanor's childhood home once stood.""

My grandmother gripped the envelope the property where Eleanor's childhood home once stood.""

My grandmother gripped the envelope.

"What company?""

Martin turned the phone toward us.

The name on the screen was simple.

"What company?""