Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Woman Sarah Trusted With Everything
: The Woman Sarah Trusted With Everything
I stared at the name on my phone.
Margaret Collins.
Sarah's older sister.
I stared at the name on my phone.
Margaret Collins.
Sarah's older sister.
For five years, I had believed Margaret wanted nothing to do with us.
She hadn'tFor five years, I had believed Margaret wanted nothing to do with us.
She hadn't attended Sarah's funeral. She hadn't called on Emily's birthdays. She hadn't answered the few messages I sent after Sarah died attended Sarah's funeral.
She hadn't called on Emily's birthdays. She hadn't answered the few messages I sent after Sarah died.
Eventually, I stopped trying.
Now Richard was telling me that Margaret had been looking for my daughter.
And Vanessa had apparently made sure we never spoke.
I answered.
"Hello?""
For a moment, there.
Eventually, I stopped trying.
Now Richard was telling me that Margaret had been looking for my daughter.
And Vanessa had apparently made sure we never spoke.
I answered.
"Hello?""
For a moment, there was only breathing.
Then a woman's voice whispered, "Daniel?""
I gripped the phone.
"Margaret?""
"Oh, thank God.""
Her voice broke was only breathing.
Then a woman's voice whispered, "Daniel?""
I gripped the phone.
"Margaret?""
"Oh, thank God.""
Her voice broke.
"Is Emily with you?""
"She's safe. She's with my sister.""
There was a long pause.
"Is Vanessa still in your house.
"Is Emily with you?""
"She's safe. She's with my sister.""
There was a long pause.
"Is Vanessa still in your house?""
I looked at Richard.
"Yes. Why?""
Margaret exhaled shakily.
"Then you need to get Emily somewhere she cannot reach her?""
I looked at Richard.
"Yes. Why?""
Margaret exhaled shakily.
"Then you need to get Emily somewhere she cannot reach her.""
My stomach tightened.
"Margaret, what is going on?""
"I've been trying to tell you for years.""
"Why didn't you call me?""
"I did, Daniel.""
My stomach tightened.
"Margaret, what is going on?""
"I've been trying to tell you for years.""
"Why didn't you call me?""
"I did, Daniel. I called. I wrote letters. I even went to your house twice.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"When?""
"Six months after Sarah died. I called. I wrote letters. I even went to your house twice.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"When?""
"Six months after Sarah died. Then again the following spring.""
I looked at Richard.
He nodded slowly.
"Vanessa told me you wanted nothing to do with me," Margaret. Then again the following spring.""
I looked at Richard.
He nodded slowly.
"Vanessa told me you wanted nothing to do with me," Margaret continued.
"She said you blamed me for Sarah's death.""
I closed my eyes.
"That's not true.""
"I know that now.""
"Where are you?""
"I'm forty continued.
"She said you blamed me for Sarah's death.""
I closed my eyes.
"That's not true.""
"I know that now.""
"Where are you?""
"I'm forty minutes from your house. I can meet you.""
"Come to my lawyer's office.""
She hesitated.
"Daniel, there's something I need to tell you before I minutes from your house. I can meet you.""
"Come to my lawyer's office.""
She hesitated.
"Daniel, there's something I need to tell you before I arrive.""
"What?""
"Sarah didn't leave Vanessa a letter.""
I looked at the envelope in my hand.
"What do you mean?""
"She arrive.""
"What?""
"Sarah didn't leave Vanessa a letter.""
I looked at the envelope in my hand.
"What do you mean?""
"She left it for me. Vanessa stole it.""
My blood went cold.
"Why would she?""
"Because Sarah had discovered what Vanessa was planning.""
The left it for me. Vanessa stole it.""
My blood went cold.
"Why would she?""
"Because Sarah had discovered what Vanessa was planning.""
The call ended.
I sat motionless.
Richard leaned forward.
"Was that Margaret?""
I nodded.
"She says Vanessa stole the letter.""
Richard rubbed his face.
" call ended.
I sat motionless.
Richard leaned forward.
"Was that Margaret?""
I nodded.
"She says Vanessa stole the letter.""
Richard rubbed his face.
"That sounds like her.""
I looked down at the document he had given me.
The first page was a legal agreement dated three weeks before Sarah's death.
It statedThat sounds like her.""
I looked down at the document he had given me.
The first page was a legal agreement dated three weeks before Sarah's death.
It stated that Sarah had established a protected education and welfare trust for Emily.
I was the primary trustee.
Margaret was the successor guardian if I became unable to care for Emily.
And that Sarah had established a protected education and welfare trust for Emily.
I was the primary trustee.
Margaret was the successor guardian if I became unable to care for Emily.
And there was a final clause.
A clause Sarah had specifically requested.
*No individual connected to the beneficiary through marriage, guardianship, or domestic partnership may acquire authority over the there was a final clause.
A clause Sarah had specifically requested.
No individual connected to the beneficiary through marriage, guardianship, or domestic partnership may acquire authority over the trust without independent judicial approval.
I read it twice.
Sarah had anticipated exactly what Vanessa might try to do.
But why?
What trust without independent judicial approval.*
I read it twice.
Sarah had anticipated exactly what Vanessa might try to do.
But why?
What had she known that I hadn't?
Richard answered the question before I could ask.
"Sarah believed Vanessa would eventually come after Emily's inheritance.""
I looked up.
"Why had she known that I hadn't?
Richard answered the question before I could ask.
"Sarah believed Vanessa would eventually come after Emily's inheritance.""
I looked up.
"Why?""
"Because Vanessa had been asking questions about it long before your wedding.""
I stood.
"Then let's go.""
Richard gathered the documents.
"Where?""
?""
"Because Vanessa had been asking questions about it long before your wedding.""
I stood.
"Then let's go.""
Richard gathered the documents.
"Where?""
"To my attorney. Margaret is meeting us there.""
An hour later, we were sitting in Michael's conference room.
Margaret arrived carrying a worn"To my attorney. Margaret is meeting us there.""
An hour later, we were sitting in Michael's conference room.
Margaret arrived carrying a worn leather handbag.
She was fifty-eight, with silver beginning to show in her dark hair.
The moment she saw me, she stopped.
For a second, neither of us moved leather handbag.
She was fifty-eight, with silver beginning to show in her dark hair.
The moment she saw me, she stopped.
For a second, neither of us moved.
Then she looked past me.
"Where's Emily?""
"Safe.""
Margaret nodded, but tears were already running down her cheeks.
"I should have.
Then she looked past me.
"Where's Emily?""
"Safe.""
Margaret nodded, but tears were already running down her cheeks.
"I should have protected her.""
I stood and pulled out a chair.
"Sit down. We need to talk.""
She placed protected her.""
I stood and pulled out a chair.
"Sit down. We need to talk.""
She placed her handbag on the table.
Then she looked at Michael.
"Before I say anything, I need to know whether Daniel has seen Sarah's original letter.""
I nodded.
" her handbag on the table.
Then she looked at Michael.
"Before I say anything, I need to know whether Daniel has seen Sarah's original letter.""
I nodded.
"Vanessa showed me a letter.""
Margaret's face tightened.
"That wasn't the original.""
Michael leaned forward.
"Do you have it?""
Margaret opened her handbag and removed a sealedVanessa showed me a letter.""
Margaret's face tightened.
"That wasn't the original.""
Michael leaned forward.
"Do you have it?""
Margaret opened her handbag and removed a sealed plastic folder.
Inside was another envelope.
Sarah's handwriting covered the front.
*For Daniel. If Vanessa has entered our lives, please read this immediately plastic folder.
Inside was another envelope.
Sarah's handwriting covered the front.
For Daniel. If Vanessa has entered our lives, please read this immediately.
I felt my throat tighten.
Margaret handed it to me.
"Sarah gave me this two days before she went into the hospital. She made me promise not to.*
I felt my throat tighten.
Margaret handed it to me.
"Sarah gave me this two days before she went into the hospital. She made me promise not to deliver it unless Vanessa became involved with you or Emily.""
I unfolded the paper.
Daniel,
*I wish I could tell you everything face deliver it unless Vanessa became involved with you or Emily.""
I unfolded the paper.
Daniel,
I wish I could tell you everything face-to-face.
There is something I learned about Vanessa Reed that I cannot ignore.
She has a history of making children-to-face.
There is something I learned about Vanessa Reed that I cannot ignore.
She has a history of making children feel unwanted, then using their distress as evidence that they are difficult or emotionally unstable.
I learned about this through someone feel unwanted, then using their distress as evidence that they are difficult or emotionally unstable.
I learned about this through someone who worked with her. I also discovered that she has been asking questions about Emily's trust.
I know you want to believe the who worked with her. I also discovered that she has been asking questions about Emily's trust.
I know you want to believe the best in people. I know you want Emily to have a mother again.
But please don't confuse kindness with safety.
If Vanessa ever enters our home, watch what happens when best in people. I know you want Emily to have a mother again.
But please don't confuse kindness with safety.
If Vanessa ever enters our home, watch what happens when you aren't there.
Watch whether Emily becomes quieter.
Watch whether she begins apologizing for things she hasn't done.
And you aren't there.
Watch whether Emily becomes quieter.
Watch whether she begins apologizing for things she hasn't done.
And never allow anyone to convince you that Emily's grief makes her difficult to love.
I stopped reading.
My eyes burned.
I continued.
I never allow anyone to convince you that Emily's grief makes her difficult to love.
I stopped reading.
My eyes burned.
I continued.
I have arranged for Margaret to protect Emily's interests if you cannot.
I have also placed a sealed statement with my attorney explaining why I believe Vanessa should never have arranged for Margaret to protect Emily's interests if you cannot.
I have also placed a sealed statement with my attorney explaining why I believe Vanessa should never have access to our daughter's inheritance.
Please find it.
Please believe me.
Most importantly, please believe have access to our daughter's inheritance.
Please find it.
Please believe me.
Most importantly, please believe Emily.
She may not always know how to explain what is happening to her.
But she will know how Emily.
She may not always know how to explain what is happening to her.
But she will know how it feels.
Love always,
Sarah.
I lowered the letter.
Nobody spoke.
Margaret wiped her eyes.
"Sarah was terrified.""
I it feels.*
Love always,
Sarah.
I lowered the letter.
Nobody spoke.
Margaret wiped her eyes.
"Sarah was terrified.""
I looked at her.
"Why didn't she tell me?""
"She tried. But she didn't want to frighten you while you were dealing with her illness. She believed she had enough time to explain everything.""
I shook my head.
"She should have told me.""
"She looked at her.
"Why didn't she tell me?""
"She tried. But she didn't want to frighten you while you were dealing with her illness. She believed she had enough time to explain everything.""
I shook my head.
"She should have told me.""
"She thought she could handle it.""
Margaret opened another folder.
"There's something else.""
She placed a printed email on the table.
It was dated two months before Sarah died thought she could handle it.""
Margaret opened another folder.
"There's something else.""
She placed a printed email on the table.
It was dated two months before Sarah died.
The sender was Vanessa.
The recipient was an attorney.
The subject line read:
*Potential guardianship arrangement.*
I read the message.
Vanessa had asked.
The sender was Vanessa.
The recipient was an attorney.
The subject line read:
*Potential guardianship arrangement.*
I read the message.
Vanessa had asked whether she could become Emily's guardian if Sarah's health deteriorated.
She described herself as someone who had developed a close relationship with the child.
But the last paragraph whether she could become Emily's guardian if Sarah's health deteriorated.
She described herself as someone who had developed a close relationship with the child.
But the last paragraph made my stomach turn.
The father is emotionally attached but financially distracted. A stable female guardian may be better positioned to manage the child's inheritance and long-term interests.
I looked made my stomach turn.
The father is emotionally attached but financially distracted. A stable female guardian may be better positioned to manage the child's inheritance and long-term interests.
I looked up.
"She was planning this before Sarah died.""
Margaret nodded.
"Sarah discovered the email.""
"How?""
"Vanessa accidentally sent a copy to up.
"She was planning this before Sarah died.""
Margaret nodded.
"Sarah discovered the email.""
"How?""
"Vanessa accidentally sent a copy to an old work address that Sarah still monitored.""
Michael took the document.
"Do you have the original email file?""
Margaret nodded.
"I an old work address that Sarah still monitored.""
Michael took the document.
"Do you have the original email file?""
Margaret nodded.
"I have the electronic copy Sarah gave me.""
Michael examined it.
"We'll preserve this.""
I looked at Margaret.
"Why did you disappear have the electronic copy Sarah gave me.""
Michael examined it.
"We'll preserve this.""
I looked at Margaret.
"Why did you disappear after Sarah died?""
Her face crumpled.
"Because Vanessa threatened me.""
"With what?""
"She told me she had evidence that Sarah had after Sarah died?""
Her face crumpled.
"Because Vanessa threatened me.""
"With what?""
"She told me she had evidence that Sarah had been emotionally unstable. She said she would use it to challenge my involvement with Emily.""
"That makes been emotionally unstable. She said she would use it to challenge my involvement with Emily.""
"That makes no sense.""
"She also told me you had asked her to keep me away.""
I stood.
"I never said that.""
"I know.""
Margaret took a shaky no sense.""
"She also told me you had asked her to keep me away.""
I stood.
"I never said that.""
"I know.""
Margaret took a shaky breath.
"By the time I realized she was lying, she had already convinced me that you wanted a new beginning without breath.
"By the time I realized she was lying, she had already convinced me that you wanted a new beginning without Sarah's family.""
I sat down again.
For five years, my daughter had been separated from the one relative Sarah's family.""
I sat down again.
For five years, my daughter had been separated from the one relative her mother had specifically chosen to protect her.
I looked at Michael.
"Can Margaret see Emily?""
"Of course," he said her mother had specifically chosen to protect her.
I looked at Michael.
"Can Margaret see Emily?""
"Of course," he said.
"But we'll arrange it properly and make sure Emily is comfortable.""
Margaret nodded.
"I don't want to frighten her.""
I looked at the.
"But we'll arrange it properly and make sure Emily is comfortable.""
Margaret nodded.
"I don't want to frighten her.""
I looked at the original letter again.
Then I asked the question that had been troubling me.
"What's the sealed statement?""
Margaret removed a smaller envelope original letter again.
Then I asked the question that had been troubling me.
"What's the sealed statement?""
Margaret removed a smaller envelope.
"This was prepared by Sarah's attorney. It was supposed to be released if Vanessa attempted to interfere with Emily's inheritance.""
Michael took it carefully.
He opened the envelope and.
"This was prepared by Sarah's attorney. It was supposed to be released if Vanessa attempted to interfere with Emily's inheritance.""
Michael took it carefully.
He opened the envelope and examined the document.
His expression changed.
"What is it?"" I asked.
He read silently for several seconds.
Then he looked at me.
"Daniel, Sarah documented a financial arrangement involving Vanessa and Richard.""
Richard leaned forward.
"What arrangement?""
Michael turned the paper examined the document.
His expression changed.
"What is it?"" I asked.
He read silently for several seconds.
Then he looked at me.
"Daniel, Sarah documented a financial arrangement involving Vanessa and Richard.""
Richard leaned forward.
"What arrangement?""
Michael turned the paper toward us.
It was an acknowledgment of debt.
Vanessa had borrowed money from Sarah several years earlier.
A substantial amount.
The agreement toward us.
It was an acknowledgment of debt.
Vanessa had borrowed money from Sarah several years earlier.
A substantial amount.
The agreement stated that Vanessa had received $48,000 for what she described as an emergency involving her daughter.
But Sarah had discovered that the stated that Vanessa had received $48,000 for what she described as an emergency involving her daughter.
But Sarah had discovered that the money had not been used for the child.
Instead, it had been transferred into an account controlled by Vanessa.
I looked at Richard.
"Did you know about this money had not been used for the child.
Instead, it had been transferred into an account controlled by Vanessa.
I looked at Richard.
"Did you know about this?""
He shook his head.
"No.""
Margaret continued.
"Sarah tried to recover the money. Vanessa claimed it was a gift.""
Michael pointed?""
He shook his head.
"No.""
Margaret continued.
"Sarah tried to recover the money. Vanessa claimed it was a gift.""
Michael pointed to the final paragraph.
"Sarah included a clause stating that if Vanessa ever sought guardianship or financial authority over Emily, the debt acknowledgment should be disclosed to the relevant authorities.""
I sat back.
Suddenly, the entire situation looked even to the final paragraph.
"Sarah included a clause stating that if Vanessa ever sought guardianship or financial authority over Emily, the debt acknowledgment should be disclosed to the relevant authorities.""
I sat back.
Suddenly, the entire situation looked even worse.
Vanessa had known Sarah was aware of her financial behavior.
She had known about the trust.
She had known Margaret was named as successor guardian.
And she had spent years trying to prevent the people who knew the truth from speaking worse.
Vanessa had known Sarah was aware of her financial behavior.
She had known about the trust.
She had known Margaret was named as successor guardian.
And she had spent years trying to prevent the people who knew the truth from speaking to me.
My phone vibrated.
A message from Laura.
Daniel, Emily wants to talk to you. She's upset.
I immediately to me.
My phone vibrated.
A message from Laura.
Daniel, Emily wants to talk to you. She's upset.
I immediately called.
Laura answered.
"She's been quiet all afternoon. I think she heard something on the phone.""
"Put her on.""
A moment later, Emily called.
Laura answered.
"She's been quiet all afternoon. I think she heard something on the phone.""
"Put her on.""
A moment later, Emily spoke.
"Dad?""
"Hey, sweetheart.""
"Is Vanessa going to come here?""
"No. Why?""
"She called Aunt Laura.""
spoke.
"Dad?""
"Hey, sweetheart.""
"Is Vanessa going to come here?""
"No. Why?""
"She called Aunt Laura.""
My stomach tightened.
"What did she say?""
Emily's voice trembled.
"She said she knows I'm there. She said she wants me to come home because she has something importantMy stomach tightened.
"What did she say?""
Emily's voice trembled.
"She said she knows I'm there. She said she wants me to come home because she has something important to show me.""
I looked at Margaret.
Her face had gone pale.
"Did she say anything else?"" I asked.
Emily hesitated.
"She said Mom left to show me.""
I looked at Margaret.
Her face had gone pale.
"Did she say anything else?"" I asked.
Emily hesitated.
"She said Mom left something for me.""
I felt my throat close.
"What exactly?""
"She said if I come home, she'll give it to me.""
I something for me.""
I felt my throat close.
"What exactly?""
"She said if I come home, she'll give it to me.""
I looked at Sarah's original letter.
Then I understood.
Vanessa was still holding something.
Something she believed Emily wanted badly enough to make looked at Sarah's original letter.
Then I understood.
Vanessa was still holding something.
Something she believed Emily wanted badly enough to make her return.
"Sweetheart, you don't have to go anywhere. Whatever it is, we'll find another way.""
Emily was quiet.
Then she whispered:
"Dad, she said it's a video of Mom.""
I her return.
"Sweetheart, you don't have to go anywhere. Whatever it is, we'll find another way.""
Emily was quiet.
Then she whispered:
"Dad, she said it's a video of Mom.""
I closed my eyes.
Vanessa had found another way to reach my daughter.
And she was using the one thing she knew Emily could never ignore.
Her closed my eyes.
Vanessa had found another way to reach my daughter.
And she was using the one thing she knew Emily could never ignore.
May you like
Her mother.
mother.
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