Chapter 4: The Friend Who Knew Too Much
The voice on the phone belonged to Vanessa’s closest friend, Lauren.
I had known Lauren for almost five years.
She had attended our wedding.
She had babysat our children.
She had sat at my kitchen table and told me how lucky I was to have Vanessa.
Now she sounded terrified.
“Why are you calling me?””
There was a pause.
Then she whispered:
“Because I should have called you sooner.””
I stood in my office, staring at the wall.
“What does that mean?””
“Marcus, can we meet?””
“Tell me now.””
“I can’t.””
“Why?””
Another pause.
“Because I’m afraid she’ll know.””
My stomach dropped.
“Afraid of Vanessa?””
Silence.
That was my answer.
We met an hour later in a small parking lot away from town.
Lauren looked exhausted.
She kept checking her phone.
“Why are you looking around like someone is following you?””
“Because Vanessa doesn’t like losing control.””
I stared at her.
“Start talking.””
Lauren took a deep breath.
“I saw what happened with Nia.””
“When?””
“Several times.””
My jaw tightened.
“You knew?””
She looked down.
“I knew something was wrong.””
“That’s not what I asked.””
She closed her eyes.
“Yes.””
The anger came instantly.
“You let my daughter stay in that house while you knew?””
“I thought it would get better.””
“Better?””
My voice rose.
“My daughter was afraid to tell me she was being hurt.””
Lauren wiped her eyes.
“I know.””
“No. You don’t.””
She nodded sadly.
“You’re right.””
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then she reached into her bag.
“I brought something.””
She handed me a small envelope.
“What is this?””
“Read it.””
Inside were printed messages.
Text conversations between Lauren and Vanessa.
My hands went cold.
The first message was from Vanessa.
*He’s finally putting her before me. I knew this would happen.*
Another:
*I can’t compete with a child who isn’t even mine.*
Another:
*Eventually he’ll realize she’s the reason this family can’t be normal.*
I looked up.
“She wrote these?””
Lauren nodded.
“There’s more.””
I kept reading.
And every message felt like another crack in the image of my marriage.
Then I saw one that made my blood freeze.
*Once Nia leaves, everything will be easier.*
I looked at Lauren.
“What does that mean?””
She looked away.
“I don’t know.””
“Yes, you do.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“She talked about sending Nia to live somewhere else.””
The world became quiet.
“She wanted to separate me from my daughter?””
“She said you would eventually understand.””
I stood.
“I’m going home.””
“Marcus, wait.””
I turned.
“She knows I talked to you.””
I froze.
“What?””
Lauren looked terrified.
“She knew I was uncomfortable.””
“How?””
“I don’t know.””
My phone rang.
Vanessa.
I stared at the screen.
Then answered.
“Where are you?””
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
“I could ask you the same thing.””
I said nothing.
Then she continued.
“Did Lauren tell you stories?””
My grip tightened.
“How do you know?””
A pause.
Then:
“Because she always was weak.””
I felt a chill.
“Vanessa…”
“No, Marcus. You need to listen.””
Her voice changed.
The softness disappeared.
“You think you’re protecting Nia.””
I stayed silent.
“But you don’t know what she’s capable of.””
I looked toward the road.
“Are you threatening my daughter?””
“No.””
A pause.
“I’m warning you.””
The call ended.
I drove home faster than I should have.
When I arrived, the front door was open.
I ran inside.
“Nia?””
No answer.
I searched every room.
Then I found her bedroom.
Empty.
Her backpack was gone.
Her phone was sitting on the bed.
And on the pillow was a handwritten note.
Three words.
*I’m sorry, Dad.*
May you like
Underneath it was a sentence that made my entire body go numb.
*I heard Vanessa talking about what she was going to do to me next.*
