Chapter 6: The Woman Who Feared a Piece of Paper
When I returned to my father's house that evening, every light on the ground floor was burning.
Marcus stood in the living room with his hands in his pockets. Vanessa sat on the sofa, dressed as on the ground floor was burning.
Marcus stood in the living room with his hands in his pockets. Vanessa sat on the sofa, dressed as though she were preparing for a formal dinner rather than a family confrontation.
A thick folder rested on the coffee table in front of her.
She looked at me.
“Finally.””
My father frowned.
“Van though she were preparing for a formal dinner rather than a family confrontation.
A thick folder rested on the coffee table in front of her.
She looked at me.
“Finally.””
My father frowned.
“Vanessa.””
“What?”” she asked innocently.
“I've been waiting all afternoon.””
I placed my handbag beside the chair.
“Dad, I came because you asked me to. Butessa.””
“What?”” she asked innocently.
“I've been waiting all afternoon.””
I placed my handbag beside the chair.
“Dad, I came because you asked me to. But I need you to understand that I'm not withdrawing my questions.””
Marcus nodded.
“I understand.””
Vanessa gave a short, humorless laugh.
“Do you? Because I need you to understand that I'm not withdrawing my questions.””
Marcus nodded.
“I understand.””
Vanessa gave a short, humorless laugh.
“Do you? Because your daughter seems to think she's entitled to an investigation into every decision we've made during our marriage.””
I turned toward her.
“This happened before you married Dad.””
“Some of the paperwork continued afterward your daughter seems to think she's entitled to an investigation into every decision we've made during our marriage.””
I turned toward her.
“This happened before you married Dad.””
“Some of the paperwork continued afterward.””
“Then let's examine it.””
Vanessa pushed the folder toward my father.
“Here. Since Nia wants documents, let's give her documents.””
Marcus opened it.
Inside were several bank statements, copies of.””
“Then let's examine it.””
Vanessa pushed the folder toward my father.
“Here. Since Nia wants documents, let's give her documents.””
Marcus opened it.
Inside were several bank statements, copies of property records, and a printed summary of the sale.
He studied the first page.
Then the second.
His face grew increasingly tense.
“Where did you get property records, and a printed summary of the sale.
He studied the first page.
Then the second.
His face grew increasingly tense.
“Where did you get these?””
“From my records.””
“Why didn't you show me these before?””
Vanessa's expression hardened.
“Because I didn't think I'd have to defend myself against these?””
“From my records.””
“Why didn't you show me these before?””
Vanessa's expression hardened.
“Because I didn't think I'd have to defend myself against your daughter.””
Marcus continued reading.
I watched his fingers tighten around the papers.
“Vanessa, this says the your daughter.””
Marcus continued reading.
I watched his fingers tighten around the papers.
“Vanessa, this says the proceeds from the sale were deposited into an account I don't recognize.””
She folded her arms.
“It was an account used for estate expenses proceeds from the sale were deposited into an account I don't recognize.””
She folded her arms.
“It was an account used for estate expenses.””
“Whose name was on it?””
“Mine.””
My father looked up sharply.
“Why?””
“Because you asked me to handle the transaction!””
“I don't remember asking you.””
“Whose name was on it?””
“Mine.””
My father looked up sharply.
“Why?””
“Because you asked me to handle the transaction!””
“I don't remember asking you to put the money into a personal account.””
Vanessa's cheeks reddened.
“You were grieving, Marcus. You signed the authorization to put the money into a personal account.””
Vanessa's cheeks reddened.
“You were grieving, Marcus. You signed the authorization.””
“Then where are the receipts for the estate expenses?””
She stared at him.
“I don't.””
“Then where are the receipts for the estate expenses?””
She stared at him.
“I don't have every receipt from ten years ago.””
I stepped closer to the table.
“How much money was deposited?””
Vanessa's gaze snapped toward me.
“This is between me and my husband.””
“Then answer your husband.””
She rose have every receipt from ten years ago.””
I stepped closer to the table.
“How much money was deposited?””
Vanessa's gaze snapped toward me.
“This is between me and my husband.””
“Then answer your husband.””
She rose from the sofa.
“Don't speak to me as though you're in charge here.””
Marcus stood too.
“Vanessa, sit down.””
She looked at him as if she from the sofa.
“Don't speak to me as though you're in charge here.””
Marcus stood too.
“Vanessa, sit down.””
She looked at him as if she couldn't believe he'd said it.
“What?””
“Sit down. Please.””
For several seconds, she remained standing.
Then she sat, placing both hands on her knees.
My father picked up couldn't believe he'd said it.
“What?””
“Sit down. Please.””
For several seconds, she remained standing.
Then she sat, placing both hands on her knees.
My father picked up the statement again.
“According to this, the proceeds were transferred out of the account within three days.””
Vanessa looked away.
“That's correct.””
“Where did they go?””
“To settle the statement again.
“According to this, the proceeds were transferred out of the account within three days.””
Vanessa looked away.
“That's correct.””
“Where did they go?””
“To settle obligations.””
“What obligations?””
“Marcus, I cannot believe you're questioning me like this.””
He lowered the statement obligations.””
“What obligations?””
“Marcus, I cannot believe you're questioning me like this.””
He lowered the statement.
“I'm asking where the money from my daughter's inheritance went.””
The room fell silent.
Vanessa stared at him.
Then she turned toward me.
“.
“I'm asking where the money from my daughter's inheritance went.””
The room fell silent.
Vanessa stared at him.
Then she turned toward me.
“Is this what you wanted? To make your father look at me like I'm a criminal?””
I felt my throat tighten.
“I didn't create these documents.””
“No, you just walked into our homeIs this what you wanted? To make your father look at me like I'm a criminal?””
I felt my throat tighten.
“I didn't create these documents.””
“No, you just walked into our home, found a piece of paper, and decided to tear everything apart.””
I looked at my father.
“Dad, I don't want to tear anything apart. But if the money was used legitimately, there should, found a piece of paper, and decided to tear everything apart.””
I looked at my father.
“Dad, I don't want to tear anything apart. But if the money was used legitimately, there should be records.””
Marcus nodded slowly.
“She's right.””
Vanessa stood again.
“This is unbelievable.””
She grabbed the folder and began shoving the papers inside.
“Fine. If be records.””
Marcus nodded slowly.
“She's right.””
Vanessa stood again.
“This is unbelievable.””
She grabbed the folder and began shoving the papers inside.
“Fine. If you want to treat me like a suspect, I'll leave you to it.””
“Vanessa,” Marcus said.
She stopped.
“I'm asking you to help us understand you want to treat me like a suspect, I'll leave you to it.””
“Vanessa,” Marcus said.
She stopped.
“I'm asking you to help us understand what happened.””
She looked at him with shining eyes.
“After everything I've done for you?””
He didn't answer.
Her face changed.
The tears disappeared.
“You know what your problem is what happened.””
She looked at him with shining eyes.
“After everything I've done for you?””
He didn't answer.
Her face changed.
The tears disappeared.
“You know what your problem is, Marcus? You've always allowed Nia to believe that she's the only person who matters to you.””
My father went still.
“This has nothing to do with how much I love my daughter.””
“Of course it does, Marcus? You've always allowed Nia to believe that she's the only person who matters to you.””
My father went still.
“This has nothing to do with how much I love my daughter.””
“Of course it does! Every time she walks into a room, you forget that you have a wife.””
I stared at her.
“You're angry because Dad loves me?””
Vanessa swung toward me.
“I'm angry because nothing is ever enough for you!””
“I! Every time she walks into a room, you forget that you have a wife.””
I stared at her.
“You're angry because Dad loves me?””
Vanessa swung toward me.
“I'm angry because nothing is ever enough for you!””
“I asked for a place to stay for a few weeks!””
“And now you're trying to take everything!””
“Everything?”” I repeated.
“What have I taken?””
She pointed at the documents.
“You're trying asked for a place to stay for a few weeks!””
“And now you're trying to take everything!””
“Everything?”” I repeated.
“What have I taken?””
She pointed at the documents.
“You're trying to take my home!””
Marcus's voice cut through the room.
“This house is not under discussion.””
Vanessa stared at him.
He continued, to take my home!””
Marcus's voice cut through the room.
“This house is not under discussion.””
Vanessa stared at him.
He continued, more firmly this time.
“My daughter has asked a legitimate question about property that was supposed to be held more firmly this time.
“My daughter has asked a legitimate question about property that was supposed to be held for her benefit. Until we understand what happened, no one is going to tell her to stop asking.””
I had never heard my father speak to Vanessa that way.
She seemed equally for her benefit. Until we understand what happened, no one is going to tell her to stop asking.””
I had never heard my father speak to Vanessa that way.
She seemed equally shocked.
Then she picked up the folder and marched upstairs.
A moment later, we heard her bedroom door slam.
My father sank into the armchair.
He looked exhausted.
“I should have dealt with this years ago.””
I sat beside him.
“Yes shocked.
Then she picked up the folder and marched upstairs.
A moment later, we heard her bedroom door slam.
My father sank into the armchair.
He looked exhausted.
“I should have dealt with this years ago.””
I sat beside him.
“Yes,” I said gently.
“You should have.””
He closed his eyes.
“I was afraid of losing another person I loved.””
I reached for his hand.
“But keeping someone doesn't mean you have to let them,” I said gently.
“You should have.””
He closed his eyes.
“I was afraid of losing another person I loved.””
I reached for his hand.
“But keeping someone doesn't mean you have to let them hurt everyone else.””
He looked at me.
For a moment, his eyes reminded me of the little girl who used to sit beside him on the porch while he told stories about my mother.
“I know hurt everyone else.””
He looked at me.
For a moment, his eyes reminded me of the little girl who used to sit beside him on the porch while he told stories about my mother.
“I know,” he whispered.
The next morning, Rebecca Lawson called.
She had located the property's recorded transfer history and discovered something that changed the direction of the investigation.
“N,” he whispered.
The next morning, Rebecca Lawson called.
She had located the property's recorded transfer history and discovered something that changed the direction of the investigation.
“Nia, I need you to come to my office as soon as possible.””
My stomach tightened.
“What did you find?””
“I'd rather explain it in person.””
“Is it bad?””
“It'sia, I need you to come to my office as soon as possible.””
My stomach tightened.
“What did you find?””
“I'd rather explain it in person.””
“Is it bad?””
“It's significant. That's all I can say until I have the full file in front of me.””
I arrived with Ethan forty minutes later.
Rebecca had spread several documents across her conference table.
She pointed significant. That's all I can say until I have the full file in front of me.””
I arrived with Ethan forty minutes later.
Rebecca had spread several documents across her conference table.
She pointed to the first page.
“This is the original property record showing your mother's ownership.””
Then she pointed to the transfer.
“Here to the first page.
“This is the original property record showing your mother's ownership.””
Then she pointed to the transfer.
“Here is the transaction that moved the property into the company associated with Ethan.””
Ethan leaned forward.
“Reed Property Holdings.””
“Yes. The company was registered in your name, but the records show that someone else had authority to act is the transaction that moved the property into the company associated with Ethan.””
Ethan leaned forward.
“Reed Property Holdings.””
“Yes. The company was registered in your name, but the records show that someone else had authority to act on its behalf.””
“Who?””
Rebecca turned another page.
“Your mother was no longer alive when the transfer occurred, on its behalf.””
“Who?””
Rebecca turned another page.
“Your mother was no longer alive when the transfer occurred, and the trust was still listed in the supporting paperwork. That raises questions about whether the required approvals were obtained.””
She tapped a signature line.
“Your father's signature appears here. and the trust was still listed in the supporting paperwork. That raises questions about whether the required approvals were obtained.””
She tapped a signature line.
“Your father's signature appears here. However, the transaction file also contains an authorization document that we need to authenticate.””
I looked at the page.
“What does that mean?””
“It means we need to determine whether the signatures are genuine However, the transaction file also contains an authorization document that we need to authenticate.””
I looked at the page.
“What does that mean?””
“It means we need to determine whether the signatures are genuine, whether the authorization was valid, and whether the transaction complied with the trust's restrictions.””
Ethan swallowed.
“And if it didn't?””
“Then there may be grounds to challenge the transfer or, whether the authorization was valid, and whether the transaction complied with the trust's restrictions.””
Ethan swallowed.
“And if it didn't?””
“Then there may be grounds to challenge the transfer or pursue other legal remedies. I won't promise an outcome before the evidence is complete.””
I nodded.
That was fair.
Rebecca pursue other legal remedies. I won't promise an outcome before the evidence is complete.””
I nodded.
That was fair.
Rebecca handed me another sheet.
“This is the financial summary we obtained from the available records. The sale proceeds were transferred through several accounts. One transfer went to an account associated with a business that Vanessa handed me another sheet.
“This is the financial summary we obtained from the available records. The sale proceeds were transferred through several accounts. One transfer went to an account associated with a business that Vanessa controlled at the time.””
I stared at the page.
“How much?””
“Approximately one hundred and eighty thousand dollars, subject to controlled at the time.””
I stared at the page.
“How much?””
“Approximately one hundred and eighty thousand dollars, subject to confirmation.””
Ethan went pale.
“That's more than the estimated value of the house.””
“The figure includes related transfers and may not represent confirmation.””
Ethan went pale.
“That's more than the estimated value of the house.””
“The figure includes related transfers and may not represent the sale proceeds alone. We need the underlying statements before drawing conclusions.””
I looked at Rebecca.
“Was my father involved in those transfers?””
“We don't yet know whether he authorized them, understood them the sale proceeds alone. We need the underlying statements before drawing conclusions.””
I looked at Rebecca.
“Was my father involved in those transfers?””
“We don't yet know whether he authorized them, understood them, or knew where the funds went. Those are separate questions.””
I appreciated that she didn't pretend to know more than the records showed.
My father might have signed something carelessly. Vanessa might have acted improperly, or knew where the funds went. Those are separate questions.””
I appreciated that she didn't pretend to know more than the records showed.
My father might have signed something carelessly. Vanessa might have acted improperly. Or there might be an explanation none of us had considered.
But there was one thing I knew for certain.
I couldn't keep pretending that everything was fine.
Rebecca gathered the papers into a neat stack.
“I recommend that you. Or there might be an explanation none of us had considered.
But there was one thing I knew for certain.
I couldn't keep pretending that everything was fine.
Rebecca gathered the papers into a neat stack.
“I recommend that you preserve every original document and avoid discussing specific evidence with Vanessa until we've completed our review.””
Ethan nodded.
“I understand preserve every original document and avoid discussing specific evidence with Vanessa until we've completed our review.””
Ethan nodded.
“I understand.””
As we stood to leave, Rebecca looked at him.
“There's one more thing. Your company appears to have retained an interest in the property after the initial transfer.””
Ethan blinked.
“What does that mean?””
“It means.””
As we stood to leave, Rebecca looked at him.
“There's one more thing. Your company appears to have retained an interest in the property after the initial transfer.””
Ethan blinked.
“What does that mean?””
“It means the house may not have been sold outright in the way your mother described. We need the complete title history to understand the current ownership.””
I felt a flicker of hope.
“Could the house still be recovered?””
“Possibly. But we need to establish who the house may not have been sold outright in the way your mother described. We need the complete title history to understand the current ownership.””
I felt a flicker of hope.
“Could the house still be recovered?””
“Possibly. But we need to establish who owns it now and whether any subsequent transactions occurred.””
Ethan looked at me.
“If I legally own it, I'll cooperate with whatever is necessary to correct this.””
I nodded.
“Thank you.””
He lowered his eyes.
owns it now and whether any subsequent transactions occurred.””
Ethan looked at me.
“If I legally own it, I'll cooperate with whatever is necessary to correct this.””
I nodded.
“Thank you.””
He lowered his eyes.
“I wish I'd known sooner.””
“So do I.””
That afternoon, I returned to my father's house alone.
Marcus was sitting at the dining table, staring at an old photograph of my mother.
He looked up when“I wish I'd known sooner.””
“So do I.””
That afternoon, I returned to my father's house alone.
Marcus was sitting at the dining table, staring at an old photograph of my mother.
He looked up when I entered.
“Did you find something?””
I sat across from him and explained what Rebecca had discovered.
He listened without interrupting.
When I entered.
“Did you find something?””
I sat across from him and explained what Rebecca had discovered.
He listened without interrupting.
When I mentioned the business account associated with Vanessa, he closed his eyes.
“I should have checked.””
I reached across the table.
“Dad I mentioned the business account associated with Vanessa, he closed his eyes.
“I should have checked.””
I reached across the table.
“Dad, you can't change what happened ten years ago. But you can decide what you do now.””
He nodded slowly.
“I'll give Rebecca every document I have.””
“Good.””
He looked at me.
“And Nia?””
“Yes?””
“If, you can't change what happened ten years ago. But you can decide what you do now.””
He nodded slowly.
“I'll give Rebecca every document I have.””
“Good.””
He looked at me.
“And Nia?””
“Yes?””
“If the investigation proves that Vanessa did something wrong, I won't protect her from the consequences.””
I searched his face.
“Even if it ends the investigation proves that Vanessa did something wrong, I won't protect her from the consequences.””
I searched his face.
“Even if it ends your marriage?””
His eyes filled.
“Even then.””
For the first time, I believed he might finally be ready to face what had your marriage?””
His eyes filled.
“Even then.””
For the first time, I believed he might finally be ready to face what had happened.
But the moment didn't last.
Vanessa entered the dining room holding a large envelope.
She placed it in front of Marcus.
“Since everyone is suddenly happened.
But the moment didn't last.
Vanessa entered the dining room holding a large envelope.
She placed it in front of Marcus.
“Since everyone is suddenly interested in documents, I thought you should see this.””
My father looked at the envelope.
“What is it?””
“Something your daughter should have known before she came back here.””
I felt interested in documents, I thought you should see this.””
My father looked at the envelope.
“What is it?””
“Something your daughter should have known before she came back here.””
I felt a chill crawl up my spine.
Vanessa opened the envelope and removed a printed letter.
She placed it on the table between us.
At the top was the name of a law firm I didn't recognize.
Below it was a date from ten years earlier.
I a chill crawl up my spine.
Vanessa opened the envelope and removed a printed letter.
She placed it on the table between us.
At the top was the name of a law firm I didn't recognize.
Below it was a date from ten years earlier.
I began reading.
The letter appeared to concern the trust established by my mother.
But the final paragraph contained a statement that made my breath catch.
It claimed that the trust had been dissolved shortly before my eighteenth birthday, leaving no continuing began reading.
The letter appeared to concern the trust established by my mother.
But the final paragraph contained a statement that made my breath catch.
It claimed that the trust had been dissolved shortly before my eighteenth birthday, leaving no continuing claim for me to the property.
I looked up.
“That's impossible. The documents Rebecca found say the trust was still in effect when the house was transferred.””
Vanessa folded her arms.
“Then claim for me to the property.
I looked up.
“That's impossible. The documents Rebecca found say the trust was still in effect when the house was transferred.””
Vanessa folded her arms.
“Then perhaps your lawyer should explain why this document says otherwise.””
My father picked up the letter.
His hands began to tremble.
“I perhaps your lawyer should explain why this document says otherwise.””
My father picked up the letter.
His hands began to tremble.
“I've never seen this before.””
Vanessa's expression sharpened.
“You signed the authorization, Marcus.””
“I signed something to help settle the estate. I never agreed to dissolve Evelyn's trust.””
“You can't've never seen this before.””
Vanessa's expression sharpened.
“You signed the authorization, Marcus.””
“I signed something to help settle the estate. I never agreed to dissolve Evelyn's trust.””
“You can't remember every document you signed.””
“No,” he said, his voice rising.
“But I remember what I promised my wife.””
For a brief moment, Vanessa looked cornered.
Then she turned toward me.
“You wanted remember every document you signed.””
“No,” he said, his voice rising.
“But I remember what I promised my wife.””
For a brief moment, Vanessa looked cornered.
Then she turned toward me.
“You wanted the truth, Nia? Here it is. Your mother made arrangements that didn't survive the settlement of her estate. Your father the truth, Nia?
Here it is. Your mother made arrangements that didn't survive the settlement of her estate. Your father accepted that years ago. You need to stop pretending you have a claim to something that no longer belongs to you.””
I stared at the letter.
The paper looked official.
accepted that years ago. You need to stop pretending you have a claim to something that no longer belongs to you.””
I stared at the letter.
The paper looked official.
The law firm's name was printed clearly.
There was a signature at the bottom.
But something about the date bothered me.
I leaned forward andThe law firm's name was printed clearly.
There was a signature at the bottom.
But something about the date bothered me.
I leaned forward and examined it more closely.
The letter was dated June 14.
I remembered that date.
It was the day of my eighteenth birthday.
The day my father had taken me to dinner, given me a small silver necklace that had examined it more closely.
The letter was dated June 14.
I remembered that date.
It was the day of my eighteenth birthday.
The day my father had taken me to dinner, given me a small silver necklace that had belonged to my mother, and told me that she would have been proud of the woman I was becoming.
I'd spent the entire day with him.
He had belonged to my mother, and told me that she would have been proud of the woman I was becoming.
I'd spent the entire day with him.
He had been at my apartment that morning, at my workplace that afternoon, and with me at dinner that evening.
He could not have attended a meeting with a lawyer across town to dissolve a trust without telling been at my apartment that morning, at my workplace that afternoon, and with me at dinner that evening.
He could not have attended a meeting with a lawyer across town to dissolve a trust without telling me.
And the signature at the bottom looked strangely unfamiliar.
I looked at Vanessa.
“Who gave you this letter?””
Her expression flickered.
“A me.
And the signature at the bottom looked strangely unfamiliar.
I looked at Vanessa.
“Who gave you this letter?””
Her expression flickered.
“A lawyer.””
“Which lawyer?””
“That isn't important.””
“It is if this document is supposed to prove that my mother's trust was dissolved lawyer.””
“Which lawyer?””
“That isn't important.””
“It is if this document is supposed to prove that my mother's trust was dissolved.””
Vanessa snatched the letter from the table.
“You don't get to interrogate me!””
“Then stop presenting documents you refuse to explain.””
My father.””
Vanessa snatched the letter from the table.
“You don't get to interrogate me!””
“Then stop presenting documents you refuse to explain.””
My father stood.
“Vanessa, give me the name of the law firm.””
She clutched the envelope.
“No.””
“Why not?””
“Because I'm finished with this conversation.””
She turned toward the stairs.
But stood.
“Vanessa, give me the name of the law firm.””
She clutched the envelope.
“No.””
“Why not?””
“Because I'm finished with this conversation.””
She turned toward the stairs.
But before she reached the first step, my father spoke again.
“If that letter is genuine, we can verify it. If it isn't, I want to know who before she reached the first step, my father spoke again.
“If that letter is genuine, we can verify it. If it isn't, I want to know who created it.””
Vanessa stopped.
For several seconds, she remained perfectly still.
Then she turned her head just enough for me to see her expression created it.””
Vanessa stopped.
For several seconds, she remained perfectly still.
Then she turned her head just enough for me to see her expression.
“You really don't know, do you, Marcus?””
His face tightened.
“Know what?””
She looked directly at me.
“Ask your daughter what happened on her eighteenth birthday.””
I felt the blood drain from my face.
“What are.
“You really don't know, do you, Marcus?””
His face tightened.
“Know what?””
She looked directly at me.
“Ask your daughter what happened on her eighteenth birthday.””
I felt the blood drain from my face.
“What are you talking about?””
Vanessa smiled without warmth.
“Ask her why your wife left her that necklace. Ask her why Evelyn wanted you to give it to her on that exact day.””
I touched you talking about?””
Vanessa smiled without warmth.
“Ask her why your wife left her that necklace. Ask her why Evelyn wanted you to give it to her on that exact day.””
I touched the small silver pendant resting against my chest.
My mother's necklace.
The one I'd worn almost every day for six years.
Vanessa walked upstairs without another word.
My father and I remained at the table, staring the small silver pendant resting against my chest.
My mother's necklace.
The one I'd worn almost every day for six years.
Vanessa walked upstairs without another word.
My father and I remained at the table, staring at the letter.
Then he looked at me.
“Nia, what's wrong?””
I opened my mouth.
But suddenly, I remembered something I'd forgotten for years.
When I'd received the necklace on my eighteenth birthday, there at the letter.
Then he looked at me.
“Nia, what's wrong?””
I opened my mouth.
But suddenly, I remembered something I'd forgotten for years.
When I'd received the necklace on my eighteenth birthday, there had been a tiny folded piece of paper tucked inside its velvet box.
I'd assumed it was a jeweler's receipt.
I'd thrown the paper into had been a tiny folded piece of paper tucked inside its velvet box.
I'd assumed it was a jeweler's receipt.
I'd thrown the paper into a drawer at my apartment and never looked at it again.
My voice trembled.
“Dad, I think Mom left something inside the necklace box.””
He went a drawer at my apartment and never looked at it again.
My voice trembled.
“Dad, I think Mom left something inside the necklace box.””
He went completely still.
“What did you say?””
“I might still have the paper.””
He gripped the back of his chair.
“Nia, you need to find it.””
“Why completely still.
“What did you say?””
“I might still have the paper.””
He gripped the back of his chair.
“Nia, you need to find it.””
“Why?””
He looked toward the staircase where Vanessa had disappeared.
“Because your mother told me that if the trust was?””
He looked toward the staircase where Vanessa had disappeared.
“Because your mother told me that if the trust was ever challenged, the necklace would help prove what she intended.””
I stared at him.
“You knew?””
“I knew she had left something. I didn't know where ever challenged, the necklace would help prove what she intended.””
I stared at him.
“You knew?””
“I knew she had left something. I didn't know where it was.””
My fingers closed around the pendant.
For ten years, I'd worn my mother's final gift without understanding what it meant.
Now, somewhere it was.””
My fingers closed around the pendant.
For ten years, I'd worn my mother's final gift without understanding what it meant.
Now, somewhere in my apartment, there might be a piece of paper that could change everything.
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And if Vanessa knew about it, I had a terrible in my apartment, there might be a piece of paper that could change everything.
And if Vanessa knew about it, I had a terrible feeling she wouldn't wait for me to find it. feeling she wouldn't wait for me to find it.
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