Chapter 6: What Brianna Saw in the Lining
Tessa's bedroom was small, crowded with art supplies and stacks of schoolbooks, but it felt safer than the house I had lived in for six years.
Her mother, Michelle, welcomed me without asking questions I wasn't ready to answer. She made grilled cheese sandwiches, placed a blanket on the sofa, and told me I could stay art supplies and stacks of schoolbooks, but it felt safer than the house I had lived in for six years.
Her mother, Michelle, welcomed me without asking questions I wasn't ready to answer. She made grilled cheese sandwiches, placed a blanket on the sofa, and told me I could stay as long as I needed.
For the first time in years, nobody told me I was being dramatic.
At eleven forty-three that night, I sat at Tessa's desk with my mother's letter spread beside the laptop.
as long as I needed.
For the first time in years, nobody told me I was being dramatic.
At eleven forty-three that night, I sat at Tessa's desk with my mother's letter spread beside the laptop.
Patricia Ellis had sent me three photographs.
The first showed my mother standing outside a courthouse with Martin Vale.
The second showed Vanessa beside a man with dark hair and a scar running from his left temple to his cheek.
The third showed the same man holding a little girl.
BriPatricia Ellis had sent me three photographs.
The first showed my mother standing outside a courthouse with Martin Vale.
The second showed Vanessa beside a man with dark hair and a scar running from his left temple to his cheek.
The third showed the same man holding a little girl.
Brianna.
She looked about four years old.
The man was smiling at her, but his eyes were fixed on the camera with an expression that seemed almost frightened.
I enlarged the photograph.
On the back, Patricia had written:
*Daniel Merceranna.
She looked about four years old.
The man was smiling at her, but his eyes were fixed on the camera with an expression that seemed almost frightened.
I enlarged the photograph.
On the back, Patricia had written:
Daniel Mercer, Elena's original witness. March 14.
Daniel Mercer.
Brianna's father.
I read the name aloud.
Tessa leaned over my shoulder.
“Have you ever heard of him?””
“Only as Brianna's dad. Vanessa says he left before Bri, Elena's original witness. March 14.*
Daniel Mercer.
Brianna's father.
I read the name aloud.
Tessa leaned over my shoulder.
“Have you ever heard of him?””
“Only as Brianna's dad. Vanessa says he left before Brianna started kindergarten.””
“Maybe he did. But that doesn't explain why he was with your mom.””
I looked at the photograph of my mother outside the courthouse.
“Maybe he knew about the trust.””
My phone vibrated.
A message from Patricia appeared.
*Daniel worked with Elena at the nonprofit whereanna started kindergarten.””
“Maybe he did. But that doesn't explain why he was with your mom.””
I looked at the photograph of my mother outside the courthouse.
“Maybe he knew about the trust.””
My phone vibrated.
A message from Patricia appeared.
Daniel worked with Elena at the nonprofit where she handled financial records. He discovered irregularities connected to the trust and helped her document them. After Elena died, he disappeared because someone threatened his daughter.
I stared at the screen.
Then another message arrived.
He believes Vanessa has been using Brianna to get close to the evidence she handled financial records. He discovered irregularities connected to the trust and helped her document them. After Elena died, he disappeared because someone threatened his daughter.
I stared at the screen.
Then another message arrived.
He believes Vanessa has been using Brianna to get close to the evidence Elena left behind.
My throat tightened.
I thought about the purple paint.
The empty can.
The way Brianna had smiled when she destroyed the gown.
Had she known about the documents hidden in the lining?
Had she been trying to destroy the evidence, or had she simply wanted to hurt me?
I didn't know Elena left behind.*
My throat tightened.
I thought about the purple paint.
The empty can.
The way Brianna had smiled when she destroyed the gown.
Had she known about the documents hidden in the lining?
Had she been trying to destroy the evidence, or had she simply wanted to hurt me?
I didn't know which possibility frightened me more.
Tessa pulled a chair beside mine.
“You need to talk to Brianna.””
“She'll lie.””
“Probably. But if she knows something, you need to hear it from her.””
I looked at the clock.
“It's nearly midnight which possibility frightened me more.
Tessa pulled a chair beside mine.
“You need to talk to Brianna.””
“She'll lie.””
“Probably. But if she knows something, you need to hear it from her.””
I looked at the clock.
“It's nearly midnight.””
“Then we wait until morning.””
I shook my head.
“Graduation is tomorrow.””
Tessa frowned.
“Your graduation is in two days.””
“Not anymore. The school moved the rehearsal and ceremony because the auditorium is being used for another.””
“Then we wait until morning.””
I shook my head.
“Graduation is tomorrow.””
Tessa frowned.
“Your graduation is in two days.””
“Not anymore. The school moved the rehearsal and ceremony because the auditorium is being used for another event. We were notified last week.””
She blinked.
“Wait. Your graduation is tomorrow?””
I nodded.
The thought made my stomach turn.
I had spent eleven months making a dress for that day. Now the dress was in Vanessa's possession, my family was unraveling, and a man I event. We were notified last week.””
She blinked.
“Wait. Your graduation is tomorrow?””
I nodded.
The thought made my stomach turn.
I had spent eleven months making a dress for that day. Now the dress was in Vanessa's possession, my family was unraveling, and a man I had never met was sending warnings about my stepsister.
I opened the photograph of Brianna wearing the gown.
The image was slightly blurry, but I could make out a dark shape on the floor behind her.
I zoomed in.
It looked like a had never met was sending warnings about my stepsister.
I opened the photograph of Brianna wearing the gown.
The image was slightly blurry, but I could make out a dark shape on the floor behind her.
I zoomed in.
It looked like a piece of paper.
A receipt.
I enlarged it until the text became a collection of pixels, then stared at it in frustration.
Tessa leaned closer.
“Can you send that to Rebecca?””
“I will.””
I forwarded the piece of paper.
A receipt.
I enlarged it until the text became a collection of pixels, then stared at it in frustration.
Tessa leaned closer.
“Can you send that to Rebecca?””
“I will.””
I forwarded the photograph to my lawyer with a brief explanation.
Then I called the only person who might know why Brianna had taken the dress.
My father answered photograph to my lawyer with a brief explanation.
Then I called the only person who might know why Brianna had taken the dress.
My father answered on the fourth ring.
“Nia?””
“Where's Brianna?””
A pause.
“She's asleep.””
“Wake her up.””
“It's midnight.””
“Then this should be quick.””
“Nia, please. We have a lot to discuss.””
“I don't want to discuss anything with you. I want to ask Bri on the fourth ring.
“Nia?””
“Where's Brianna?””
A pause.
“She's asleep.””
“Wake her up.””
“It's midnight.””
“Then this should be quick.””
“Nia, please. We have a lot to discuss.””
“I don't want to discuss anything with you. I want to ask Brianna one question.””
He sighed.
“What question?””
“Did she find something inside my dress?””
Silence.
Then I heard a muffled sound in the background.
A door opening.
Vanessa's voice.
“Who is it?””
Dad lowered his voice.
“She'sanna one question.””
He sighed.
“What question?””
“Did she find something inside my dress?””
Silence.
Then I heard a muffled sound in the background.
A door opening.
Vanessa's voice.
“Who is it?””
Dad lowered his voice.
“She's asking about the dress.””
A sharp whisper followed.
“Don't tell her anything.””
My stomach dropped.
Dad returned to the phone.
“Nia, you need to stop.””
“Did Brianna find something?””
“I can't answer that.””
“You mean you won't.””
He asking about the dress.””
A sharp whisper followed.
“Don't tell her anything.””
My stomach dropped.
Dad returned to the phone.
“Nia, you need to stop.””
“Did Brianna find something?””
“I can't answer that.””
“You mean you won't.””
He exhaled shakily.
“Your stepmother has been under a lot of pressure.””
“Good.””
“Nia.””
“Dad, if Brianna found something in my mother's gown, I need to know what it was.””
He didn't answer.
Then, in the background, a girl's exhaled shakily.
“Your stepmother has been under a lot of pressure.””
“Good.””
“Nia.””
“Dad, if Brianna found something in my mother's gown, I need to know what it was.””
He didn't answer.
Then, in the background, a girl's voice cut through the silence.
“She found the photograph.””
Brianna.
My pulse raced.
Vanessa snapped, “Go back to your room!””
“No!”” Bri voice cut through the silence.
“She found the photograph.””
Brianna.
My pulse raced.
Vanessa snapped, “Go back to your room!””
“No!”” Brianna shouted.
“I'm tired of everyone acting like I'm stupid!””
There was a crash.
Then the phone went dead.
I stared at the screen.
Tessa stood beside me.
“What happened?””
“She found the photograph.””
“Which photograph?””
“I don't know.””
I called back.
Noanna shouted.
“I'm tired of everyone acting like I'm stupid!””
There was a crash.
Then the phone went dead.
I stared at the screen.
Tessa stood beside me.
“What happened?””
“She found the photograph.””
“Which photograph?””
“I don't know.””
I called back.
No answer.
I called again.
This time, a text arrived from an unknown number.
Tomorrow. Auditorium. Before the ceremony. Come alone.
A second message followed.
If you want to know what Brianna saw, bring the original letter.
I showed Tessa.
answer.
I called again.
This time, a text arrived from an unknown number.
Tomorrow. Auditorium. Before the ceremony. Come alone.
A second message followed.
If you want to know what Brianna saw, bring the original letter.
I showed Tessa.
She shook her head immediately.
“No. Absolutely not.””
“Someone knows about the letter.””
“Which is why you shouldn't walk into a trap.””
“I won't go alone.””
“They specifically said to come alone.””
“Then they won't know you're there.””
Tessa stared at me.
“You'reShe shook her head immediately.
“No. Absolutely not.””
“Someone knows about the letter.””
“Which is why you shouldn't walk into a trap.””
“I won't go alone.””
“They specifically said to come alone.””
“Then they won't know you're there.””
Tessa stared at me.
“You're not actually planning to sneak around your own graduation ceremony, are you?””
I looked at the photograph of my mother.
“I'm planning to find out what she died trying to protect.””
Tessa's expression softened.
“Then we're going together.””
At not actually planning to sneak around your own graduation ceremony, are you?””
I looked at the photograph of my mother.
“I'm planning to find out what she died trying to protect.””
Tessa's expression softened.
“Then we're going together.””
At six thirty the next morning, I returned to the Carter house.
I didn't enter through the front door.
Instead, I walked around to the kitchen, where my father usually drank coffee before work. The back door was unlocked, and I found him sitting at the table with six thirty the next morning, I returned to the Carter house.
I didn't enter through the front door.
Instead, I walked around to the kitchen, where my father usually drank coffee before work. The back door was unlocked, and I found him sitting at the table with his head in his hands.
He looked up when I entered.
“Nia.””
“Where's Brianna?””
“Upstairs.””
“I need to speak to her.””
He stood.
“Vanessa won't allow it.””
“I'm not asking Vanessa.””
I started toward the stairs.
Dad caught my wrist his head in his hands.
He looked up when I entered.
“Nia.””
“Where's Brianna?””
“Upstairs.””
“I need to speak to her.””
He stood.
“Vanessa won't allow it.””
“I'm not asking Vanessa.””
I started toward the stairs.
Dad caught my wrist.
“Please. Before you do anything, listen to me.””
I pulled away.
“You've had six years to talk.””
“I know.””
“Then why should I listen now?””
He looked so tired that, for one painful second, I remembered the father who used to carry me on his shoulders at the county fair.
.
“Please. Before you do anything, listen to me.””
I pulled away.
“You've had six years to talk.””
“I know.””
“Then why should I listen now?””
He looked so tired that, for one painful second, I remembered the father who used to carry me on his shoulders at the county fair.
Then I remembered him standing silently while Vanessa told me my mother's memory was a burden.
“I made a mistake,” he said.
“A terrible mistake. But I never wanted you to suffer.””
“You let me.””
He lowered his head.
“Yes.””
Then I remembered him standing silently while Vanessa told me my mother's memory was a burden.
“I made a mistake,” he said.
“A terrible mistake. But I never wanted you to suffer.””
“You let me.””
He lowered his head.
“Yes.””
The admission stopped me.
He took a breath.
“Vanessa told me that if I helped her recover the second copy, she would restore the trust and leave us alone. I believed her.””
I stared at him.
“You helped her look for it?””
He nodded.
“Where?””
“InThe admission stopped me.
He took a breath.
“Vanessa told me that if I helped her recover the second copy, she would restore the trust and leave us alone. I believed her.””
I stared at him.
“You helped her look for it?””
He nodded.
“Where?””
“In the house. Your mother's sewing things. Her old notebooks. Everywhere we could think of.””
“And you never found it?””
“No.””
“Why would Vanessa suddenly care about my dress?””
He looked toward the stairs.
“Because your mother told me something before she died. She said the second copy wasn't the house. Your mother's sewing things.
Her old notebooks. Everywhere we could think of.””
“And you never found it?””
“No.””
“Why would Vanessa suddenly care about my dress?””
He looked toward the stairs.
“Because your mother told me something before she died. She said the second copy wasn't hidden in a safe or a bank. She said it was somewhere the person who wanted it most would never think to look.””
My skin prickled.
“The gown.””
Dad nodded.
“She told me she'd hidden something in the dress she was making for you.””
I felt the hidden in a safe or a bank. She said it was somewhere the person who wanted it most would never think to look.””
My skin prickled.
“The gown.””
Dad nodded.
“She told me she'd hidden something in the dress she was making for you.””
I felt the floor shift beneath me.
“You knew?””
“I suspected. I didn't know which dress or where she'd put it.””
“Then why didn't you tell me?””
He looked away.
“Because I was afraid of what would happen if Vanessa found out I knew.””
I almost laughed.
“You keep saying you're afraid as if that floor shift beneath me.
“You knew?””
“I suspected. I didn't know which dress or where she'd put it.””
“Then why didn't you tell me?””
He looked away.
“Because I was afraid of what would happen if Vanessa found out I knew.””
I almost laughed.
“You keep saying you're afraid as if that makes everything acceptable.””
“It doesn't.””
“No, it doesn't.””
I turned toward the stairs.
Dad followed.
“Nia, there's something else.””
I stopped.
He reached makes everything acceptable.””
“It doesn't.””
“No, it doesn't.””
I turned toward the stairs.
Dad followed.
“Nia, there's something else.””
I stopped.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small photograph.
It showed my mother standing beside Daniel Mercer outside a courthouse. On the back was a date and a short message.
If anything happens to me, Daniel knows where the truth is.
I stared at the picture.
“Why do you have this?””
“I into his pocket and pulled out a small photograph.
It showed my mother standing beside Daniel Mercer outside a courthouse. On the back was a date and a short message.
If anything happens to me, Daniel knows where the truth is.
I stared at the picture.
“Why do you have this?””
“I found it in Vanessa's desk last night.””
“Why were you going through her desk?””
“Because I finally realized that every time I asked her about the trust, she gave me a different answer.””
He handed me the photograph.
“I'm going to cooperate with Rebecca Shaw. I'll tell found it in Vanessa's desk last night.””
“Why were you going through her desk?””
“Because I finally realized that every time I asked her about the trust, she gave me a different answer.””
He handed me the photograph.
“I'm going to cooperate with Rebecca Shaw. I'll tell her everything I remember.””
I took the picture.
“Do you expect me to forgive you?””
“No.””
His voice broke.
“I expect you to make your own decision. I just don't want to keep lying to you.””
I didn't know what to say.
For the first time, he her everything I remember.””
I took the picture.
“Do you expect me to forgive you?””
“No.””
His voice broke.
“I expect you to make your own decision. I just don't want to keep lying to you.””
I didn't know what to say.
For the first time, he wasn't asking me to protect him.
It didn't erase what he'd done.
But it was a beginning.
A small one.
I climbed the stairs.
Brianna's bedroom door was open.
She sat on the edge of her bed wearing yesterday's pink pajamas. Her wasn't asking me to protect him.
It didn't erase what he'd done.
But it was a beginning.
A small one.
I climbed the stairs.
Brianna's bedroom door was open.
She sat on the edge of her bed wearing yesterday's pink pajamas. Her hair was tangled, and her eyes were swollen from crying.
For once, she didn't look like the girl who could make an entire room bend around her wishes.
She looked seventeen.
And scared.
When she saw me, she stood abruptly.
“Get out.””
“I need to ask you something.””
“I hair was tangled, and her eyes were swollen from crying.
For once, she didn't look like the girl who could make an entire room bend around her wishes.
She looked seventeen.
And scared.
When she saw me, she stood abruptly.
“Get out.””
“I need to ask you something.””
“I don't know anything.””
“You told Dad you found the photograph.””
Her mouth tightened.
“I was angry.””
“What photograph?””
She looked toward the hallway.
“Close the door.””
I did.
Brianna paced to the window and pulled the curtains shut don't know anything.””
“You told Dad you found the photograph.””
Her mouth tightened.
“I was angry.””
“What photograph?””
She looked toward the hallway.
“Close the door.””
I did.
Brianna paced to the window and pulled the curtains shut.
Then she turned to me.
“Mom told me the dress was just an old project. She said you were being sentimental and that it wouldn't matter if we changed it.””
“You poured paint on it.””
“I know.””
“You laughed.””
Her.
Then she turned to me.
“Mom told me the dress was just an old project. She said you were being sentimental and that it wouldn't matter if we changed it.””
“You poured paint on it.””
“I know.””
“You laughed.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“I know!””
The sudden force of her voice startled me.
She wiped her cheeks with the heel of her hand.
“I thought if I ruined it, you'd finally stop acting like you were better than me. Everyone at school talks about your designs eyes filled with tears.
“I know!””
The sudden force of her voice startled me.
She wiped her cheeks with the heel of her hand.
“I thought if I ruined it, you'd finally stop acting like you were better than me. Everyone at school talks about your designs. Dad talks about your scholarships. Mom says your mother left you everything.””
I stared at her.
“Everything?””
“That's what she told me. She said your grandfather's money should have belonged to our family, too. She said you were going to take it all away.
Dad talks about your scholarships. Mom says your mother left you everything.””
I stared at her.
“Everything?””
“That's what she told me. She said your grandfather's money should have belonged to our family, too. She said you were going to take it all away from us.””
I felt sick.
“So you destroyed my dress because you thought I had too much?””
Brianna looked down.
“I didn't know about the letter.””
“But you found something.””
She nodded.
“After you fixed the dress, Mom took it from your room. She told from us.””
I felt sick.
“So you destroyed my dress because you thought I had too much?””
Brianna looked down.
“I didn't know about the letter.””
“But you found something.””
She nodded.
“After you fixed the dress, Mom took it from your room. She told me to help her remove the lining because she thought your mother had hidden something inside.””
“What did you find?””
Brianna walked to her bedside table and opened the top drawer.
She removed a folded photograph.
It was the same photograph I had seen in my mother's hidden envelope: Elena Carter sitting me to help her remove the lining because she thought your mother had hidden something inside.””
“What did you find?””
Brianna walked to her bedside table and opened the top drawer.
She removed a folded photograph.
It was the same photograph I had seen in my mother's hidden envelope: Elena Carter sitting beside Martin Vale at a desk.
But this version had writing on the back.
I reached for it.
Brianna pulled it away.
“Promise me something first.””
“What?””
“If I tell you what Mom did, you won't let her destroy my life.””
I stared at her.
“You helped her beside Martin Vale at a desk.
But this version had writing on the back.
I reached for it.
Brianna pulled it away.
“Promise me something first.””
“What?””
“If I tell you what Mom did, you won't let her destroy my life.””
I stared at her.
“You helped her destroy mine.””
“I know.””
“Then why should I protect you?””
Brianna's face crumpled.
“Because I didn't know she was stealing your money. I thought she was just trying to keep you from getting everything. I didn't know about the fake signature or the recordings.””
She took a destroy mine.””
“I know.””
“Then why should I protect you?””
Brianna's face crumpled.
“Because I didn't know she was stealing your money. I thought she was just trying to keep you from getting everything. I didn't know about the fake signature or the recordings.””
She took a shaky breath.
“Last night, I found the letter in the lining. Mom snatched it from me, but I saw the name on the bottom.””
“Whose name?””
Brianna handed me the photograph.
On the back, beneath my mother's handwriting, were four words.
**Daniel shaky breath.
“Last night, I found the letter in the lining. Mom snatched it from me, but I saw the name on the bottom.””
“Whose name?””
Brianna handed me the photograph.
On the back, beneath my mother's handwriting, were four words.
*Daniel has the original.*
I looked up.
“Where is he?””
Brianna shook her head.
“I don't know. But Mom made a phone call after she found the letter. She said she needed to get to the auditorium before you did.””
My blood ran cold.
“Why the auditorium has the original.**
I looked up.
“Where is he?””
Brianna shook her head.
“I don't know. But Mom made a phone call after she found the letter. She said she needed to get to the auditorium before you did.””
My blood ran cold.
“Why the auditorium?””
Brianna looked at the gown draped across her chair.
“Because she found something else.””
She crossed the room and lifted the damaged lining she'd cut from the dress.
Beneath it was a tiny scrap of paper.
My mother's handwriting?””
Brianna looked at the gown draped across her chair.
“Because she found something else.””
She crossed the room and lifted the damaged lining she'd cut from the dress.
Beneath it was a tiny scrap of paper.
My mother's handwriting covered one side.
On the other was a set of numbers.
*3-14-09. 7:30 p.m.*
Brianna whispered, “Mom said if you ever found this, everything would be over.””
I stared at the numbers.
March four covered one side.
On the other was a set of numbers.
*3-14-09. 7:30 p.m.*
Brianna whispered, “Mom said if you ever found this, everything would be over.””
I stared at the numbers.
March fourteenth, 2009.
The date on the recording.
The date my mother had met Martin Vale.
And the time was only minutes before the conversation on the flash drive began.
I folded the paper carefully.
“Where's my dress now?””
Brianna pointed toward the closet.
I opened it.
The gown hung inside,teenth, 2009.
The date on the recording.
The date my mother had met Martin Vale.
And the time was only minutes before the conversation on the flash drive began.
I folded the paper carefully.
“Where's my dress now?””
Brianna pointed toward the closet.
I opened it.
The gown hung inside, the purple stains shining beneath the morning light. The lining had been partially removed, but the silver embroidery remained intact.
I touched the hidden pocket.
The original letter was still there.
But the small brass clasp beside it was missing.
I turned toward Brianna.
“What did Mom do with the clasp?””
Her the purple stains shining beneath the morning light. The lining had been partially removed, but the silver embroidery remained intact.
I touched the hidden pocket.
The original letter was still there.
But the small brass clasp beside it was missing.
I turned toward Brianna.
“What did Mom do with the clasp?””
Her face went white.
“She gave it to someone.””
“Who?””
Brianna swallowed.
“Daniel.””
I stepped back.
“Your father?””
She nodded.
Then she reached into her pajama pocket and pulled out a phone.
“He called me last night. face went white.
“She gave it to someone.””
“Who?””
Brianna swallowed.
“Daniel.””
I stepped back.
“Your father?””
She nodded.
Then she reached into her pajama pocket and pulled out a phone.
“He called me last night. He said he wanted to meet you before graduation. He told me to give you this.””
She handed it to me.
The screen displayed a single photograph.
It showed the old auditorium at my high school, taken from behind the stage.
A red circle He said he wanted to meet you before graduation. He told me to give you this.””
She handed it to me.
The screen displayed a single photograph.
It showed the old auditorium at my high school, taken from behind the stage.
A red circle had been drawn around a narrow wooden panel near the costume storage room.
Underneath was a message.
Your mother hid the original here. But Vanessa knows where to look.
I stared at the screen.
The auditorium was less than a mile away.
Graduation rehearsal began in two had been drawn around a narrow wooden panel near the costume storage room.
Underneath was a message.
Your mother hid the original here. But Vanessa knows where to look.
I stared at the screen.
The auditorium was less than a mile away.
Graduation rehearsal began in two hours.
And Vanessa had already told me she intended to be there.
I looked at Brianna.
“Why are you helping me now?””
She looked at the ruined gown.
For once, there was no smirk, no sharp remark, no attempt to make me feel small.
“Because when hours.
And Vanessa had already told me she intended to be there.
I looked at Brianna.
“Why are you helping me now?””
She looked at the ruined gown.
For once, there was no smirk, no sharp remark, no attempt to make me feel small.
“Because when Mom cut the lining, I found something else.””
She reached into the drawer and pulled out a small white envelope.
It was sealed, with my name written across the front in my mother's handwriting.
I took it with Mom cut the lining, I found something else.””
She reached into the drawer and pulled out a small white envelope.
It was sealed, with my name written across the front in my mother's handwriting.
I took it with trembling fingers.
Inside was a single sentence.
If Brianna is the one who gives you this, it means Vanessa has finally made her choose.
I looked at my stepsister.
She was crying silently.
And for the first time, I trembling fingers.
Inside was a single sentence.
If Brianna is the one who gives you this, it means Vanessa has finally made her choose.
I looked at my stepsister.
She was crying silently.
And for the first time, I wondered whether the girl who had destroyed my dress had been trying to hurt me—or whether she had been so desperate for her mother's approval that she hadn't understood what she was helping to destroy.
Then my phone rang.
The caller ID showed an unknown number.
I answered.
A man's voice came through wondered whether the girl who had destroyed my dress had been trying to hurt me—or whether she had been so desperate for her mother's approval that she hadn't understood what she was helping to destroy.
Then my phone rang.
The caller ID showed an unknown number.
I answered.
A man's voice came through, low and urgent.
“Nia, this is Daniel Mercer. You need to listen carefully. Vanessa is on her way to the auditorium.””
I gripped the phone.
“Why, low and urgent.
“Nia, this is Daniel Mercer. You need to listen carefully. Vanessa is on her way to the auditorium.””
I gripped the phone.
“Why?””
“Because the original contract is hidden behind that panel, and she knows it.””
I glanced at the clock.
Seven forty-two.
Rehearsal began in eighteen minutes.
Daniel continued.
“There is something else you need to know about the document. Your mother didn't just leave?””
“Because the original contract is hidden behind that panel, and she knows it.””
I glanced at the clock.
Seven forty-two.
Rehearsal began in eighteen minutes.
Daniel continued.
“There is something else you need to know about the document. Your mother didn't just leave you the money.””
I stopped breathing.
“What do you mean?””
He paused.
Then he said the words that changed everything.
“Your grandfather didn't create that trust for you alone. He created it to protect every child in the family—including Brianna. And if Vanessa gets to the original contract first, she'll you the money.””
I stopped breathing.
“What do you mean?””
He paused.
Then he said the words that changed everything.
“Your grandfather didn't create that trust for you alone. He created it to protect every child in the family—including Brianna. And if Vanessa gets to the original contract first, she'll destroy the one clause that proves it.””
The line crackled.
I looked at Brianna.
She had heard every word.
For the first time, we were standing on the same side of something.
And somewhere across town, Vanessa was racing toward the one place where my destroy the one clause that proves it.””
The line crackled.
I looked at Brianna.
She had heard every word.
For the first time, we were standing on the same side of something.
And somewhere across town, Vanessa was racing toward the one place where my mother's final secret had waited for six years.
I grabbed the gown.
“Come on,” I told Brianna.
She stared at me.
“Where?””
I pulled the silver thread spool from my bag and wrapped it around my wrist.
“To the auditorium.””
Because this time, I wasn't going mother's final secret had waited for six years.
I grabbed the gown.
“Come on,” I told Brianna.
She stared at me.
“Where?””
I pulled the silver thread spool from my bag and wrapped it around my wrist.
“To the auditorium.””
Because this time, I wasn't going to let anyone else decide what happened to my mother's legacy.
May you like
And if Vanessa wanted to destroy the truth one more time, she would have to do it with both of us watching. to let anyone else decide what happened to my mother's legacy.
And if Vanessa wanted to destroy the truth one more time, she would have to do it with both of us watching.
