Chapter 8: The Night My Mother Died
Aunt Rebecca didn't take off her coat.
She stood in the center of the living room with the folder clutched against her chest, staring at Vanessa as though she'd just seen a ghost.
"Say that again," Rebecca demanded.
Vanessa's eyes darted toward my father.
"Michael needs to know the truth.""
Dad looked between them.
"What truth?""
Rebecca shook her head.
"Not here.""
"Rebecca, I've spent five years wondering whether there was something I should have known about Laura's death. If Vanessa has information, she's going to tell me now.""
Vanessa swallowed.
"Your wife wasn't alone the night she died.""
My father's face changed.
"I know that. She was taken to the hospital.""
"No. I mean before that. Someone came to the house.""
Rebecca stepped forward.
"Stop.""
Vanessa turned toward her.
"You can't keep protecting him from everything.""
"And you can't keep twisting what happened to make yourself look innocent.""
Dad raised his voice.
"Enough! Both of you!""
The room fell silent.
He looked at Vanessa.
"Who came to the house that night?""
Vanessa's lips trembled.
"Thomas Reed.""
Aunt Rebecca closed her eyes.
Dad stared at her.
"Who's Thomas Reed?""
Rebecca slowly lowered the folder.
"Vanessa's brother.""
I looked at Vanessa.
The same brother who owned Harbor Crest Holdings.
The same man connected to the attempted property transfer.
Dad shook his head.
"What did he want with Laura?""
Vanessa looked away.
"He came to discuss the house.""
My father went very still.
"Why?""
"Because I asked him to.""
The words seemed to drain the air from the room.
Rebecca set the folder on the coffee table.
"Vanessa, I am warning you. If you leave anything out, I will make certain the entire truth comes out.""
Vanessa's chin lifted.
"Fine.""
She turned toward my father.
"Thomas had been helping me understand the financial arrangements. I wanted to know whether there was a way for Brittany to have a more secure future if I married you.""
"And you thought my dying wife was the person to ask?""
"I thought Laura might agree to change the trust.""
"Why would she?""
"Because she was dying.""
Nobody moved.
Vanessa seemed to hear the words only after she'd spoken them.
Dad's face went white.
"What did you just say?""
She swallowed.
"I knew she was sick.""
"Laura wasn't sick. She died suddenly.""
"She had been having headaches.""
My father shook his head.
"She told me she had a headache that afternoon. That's all.""
Rebecca's voice was cold.
"Vanessa, what exactly did you know?""
Vanessa looked at the floor.
"I knew she had been seeing a doctor.""
I felt sick.
My mother had never told me about any serious illness. Dad had always said the aneurysm came without warning.
"Was Mom dying before the aneurysm?"" I asked.
Vanessa looked at me.
"No. I didn't mean that.""
"Then what did you mean?""
She hesitated.
"I knew she'd been having medical tests. Thomas found out through someone he knew at the clinic.""
Rebecca's face hardened.
"You obtained private medical information about your sister's future wife without her consent?""
"It wasn't like that!""
"Then explain what it was like.""
Vanessa looked toward Dad.
"I thought if Laura knew I was serious about Michael, she might agree to make changes to the property arrangement before she died.""
My father took a step backward.
"You were planning our future while my wife was alive?""
"I didn't know she would die!""
"That doesn't make it better!""
Vanessa flinched.
Then she began to cry.
"I wanted Brittany to be safe. I wanted her to have something. Laura had everything—money, a house, a husband who adored her. My daughter had a father who disappeared before she was born and never paid a cent.""
For the first time, I heard something beneath Vanessa's anger.
Desperation.
It didn't excuse what she'd done, but it explained why she'd spent years measuring my life against Brittany's.
Rebecca's voice softened only slightly.
"Your daughter's circumstances were not Laura's responsibility.""
"I know that now.""
"No," Rebecca replied.
"You know that you were caught.""
Vanessa covered her face.
Dad walked to the window and stood with his back to us.
When he spoke, his voice was low.
"What happened that night?""
Vanessa slowly lowered her hands.
"Thomas came to the house around nine. Laura had asked me to leave her alone, but I thought she might reconsider if Thomas explained the financial benefits.""
"You brought your brother into my home to pressure my wife?""
"I thought he could help.""
"Help with what?""
"The house.""
Dad turned around.
Vanessa's shoulders shook.
"Laura refused to change anything. She said the trust was final. Thomas became angry. They argued.""
Rebecca's hands curled into fists.
"What did Thomas say?""
Vanessa stared at the floor.
"He told Laura that she was being selfish. That she was leaving a widow and a child with no way to build a future.""
"Your brother had no right to speak to her that way," Dad said.
"I know.""
"Do you?""
Vanessa nodded desperately.
"I know.""
She took a breath.
"Laura told him to leave. He refused. She became upset, and then she said she wasn't feeling well.""
I gripped the armrest of the sofa.
"What happened next?""
Vanessa looked at me.
"I went to get her water. When I came back, she was sitting on the floor beside the bed.""
My chest tightened.
"Was she conscious?""
"Yes. She told me to call Michael.""
Dad closed his eyes.
"Did you?""
Vanessa didn't answer.
"Did you call me?""
She shook her head.
The room became unbearably quiet.
"Why?"" Dad whispered.
"Because Thomas panicked.""
"Why didn't you call an ambulance?""
"I did!""
Rebecca stepped forward.
"When?""
Vanessa looked at her.
"After I called Thomas.""
Dad turned toward her so quickly that she recoiled.
"You called your brother before you called an ambulance?""
"I didn't know what to do!""
"Your sister was collapsing, and you called Thomas?""
"He said we needed to make sure no one blamed him for the argument!""
Dad stared at her.
Then he whispered, "How long?""
Vanessa began sobbing.
"How long before you called for help?""
"I don't know.""
"How long?""
"Maybe ten minutes.""
Dad gripped the back of a chair.
Ten minutes.
My mother had been on the floor, unable to stand, while Vanessa and her brother worried about what people might think.
I couldn't breathe.
"You let her lie there?"" I whispered.
Vanessa shook her head.
"I didn't know what was happening to her!""
"You knew she was sick!""
"I thought she was having a panic attack!""
"You knew she couldn't stand!""
"Emily, please!""
I stood.
"You let my mother die!""
Dad reached for me, but I pulled away.
I couldn't look at Vanessa.
I couldn't look at anyone.
All I could see was my mother lying on the bedroom floor, frightened and calling for help while the adults around her argued about a house.
Rebecca approached me slowly.
"Emily, sweetheart, we don't know the full medical facts yet.""
"But she said—"
"I know what she said.""
Rebecca wrapped her arms around me.
"Your mother's death was caused by a brain aneurysm. We need to establish whether anything that happened that evening affected the timing of medical care. That is a serious question, and it deserves a proper investigation.""
I pressed my face into her shoulder.
"I thought it happened suddenly.""
"I know.""
"Why didn't anyone tell me?""
Rebecca held me tighter.
"Because we didn't know.""
I looked at Vanessa over my aunt's shoulder.
She was crying silently.
For the first time, I didn't see a stepmother who wanted my bedroom.
I saw a woman who had kept a terrible secret and spent five years trying to bury it beneath new furniture, expensive decorations, and a life she believed she deserved.
But I still didn't understand why Aunt Rebecca had reacted so strongly to the name Thomas.
Rebecca released me and turned toward Vanessa.
"Where is your brother now?""
"I don't know.""
"Don't lie to me.""
"He lives outside Charleston.""
"Does he still work in property development?""
Vanessa nodded.
Rebecca opened her folder.
"Then you should know that Thomas Reed contacted me last month.""
Vanessa froze.
"What?""
"He wanted information about the trust.""
Dad turned away from the window.
"Why would he contact you?""
Rebecca removed a printed email.
"Because he claimed that Laura had privately agreed to a different property arrangement before she died.""
Vanessa's face drained of color.
Dad took the paper from Rebecca.
The message was short.
Ms. Carter, I am writing regarding the Carter residence. I understand there may be unresolved questions about the original property agreement. I would appreciate a private meeting to discuss a document signed by Laura Carter shortly before her death.
Beneath the message was Thomas Reed's signature.
Dad read it twice.
"Did Laura sign anything?""
Rebecca shook her head.
"Not that I've found. The trust documents in my possession are complete, and Eleanor has the executed originals.""
Vanessa sat down heavily.
Dad looked at her.
"Is there another document?""
She covered her mouth.
"Vanessa.""
She began shaking her head.
"I didn't know what he was going to do.""
Rebecca's eyes narrowed.
"Do what?""
Vanessa looked up.
"Thomas said he had a document that would prove Laura wanted the property arrangements changed. He said if Michael married me, we could use it to challenge the trust.""
Dad stared at her.
"Did you see this document?""
"No.""
"Then why did you believe him?""
"Because he told me he'd taken care of everything.""
Rebecca's voice sharpened.
"Taken care of what?""
Vanessa looked at the floor.
"After Laura died, Thomas told me he'd spoken to someone at the hospital. He said the medical records would show that Laura had been confused during her final weeks.""
I felt my stomach turn.
"My mother wasn't confused.""
"I know that now.""
"No," I said.
"You knew it then. You just didn't care.""
Vanessa began crying again.
Dad stood motionless, holding the email.
"You're telling me that your brother has been trying to challenge Laura's trust for years?""
Vanessa nodded.
"And you knew?""
"I thought he was trying to help me.""
"By lying about my wife's wishes?""
"I didn't know the document was false!""
Rebecca's expression became icy.
"Did you ever see it?""
"No.""
"Did Thomas ever show it to you?""
Vanessa shook her head.
"Then what exactly did you know?""
She pressed her hands against her face.
"That he had a document. That he believed it could change the property arrangement. That he wanted me to marry Michael before the trust could be challenged.""
Dad looked as though he might be sick.
"You married me because of a document your brother claimed existed?""
"I loved you!""
"Then why did you spend five years trying to get control of my daughter's house?""
Vanessa looked at him, desperate.
"Because I thought it was the only way to protect Brittany.""
Brittany appeared at the top of the stairs.
She had been listening.
Her face was pale.
"Mom?""
Vanessa looked up.
"Go to your room, sweetheart.""
"No.""
Brittany descended the stairs slowly.
"Did you really know about the house before you married Michael?""
Vanessa reached for her daughter.
"Brittany, please.""
"Did you tell me the house would be ours?""
Vanessa didn't answer.
Brittany backed away.
"You said Emily was being selfish. You said she was keeping everything for herself.""
"I was trying to make things fair.""
"By putting her in the garage?""
Vanessa broke down.
"I didn't know what else to do.""
Brittany stared at her mother.
Then she looked at me.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
I couldn't respond.
Not because I wanted her to suffer.
Because I had spent so long wanting someone to acknowledge what had happened that I didn't know what to do when they finally did.
Eleanor arrived twenty minutes later with a colleague from her law firm. They spoke quietly with Dad and Rebecca in the study while Brittany sat beside me in the kitchen.
Vanessa remained in the living room.
She hadn't moved.
When I finally walked past her, she looked up.
"Emily.""
I stopped.
"I know you hate me.""
I said nothing.
She swallowed.
"I didn't mean for your mother to die.""
The words made my hands tremble.
"Then why didn't you call for help immediately?""
"I was scared.""
"So was she.""
Vanessa began crying harder.
I walked away.
I couldn't forgive her.
Not then.
Perhaps not ever.
But as I reached the stairs, I heard Rebecca calling my name from the study.
I entered.
Dad sat beside Eleanor, looking exhausted. Several documents lay across the desk.
Rebecca held an old photograph.
It showed my mother standing outside the house with a man I didn't recognize.
He was tall, dark-haired, and wore a gray suit.
On the back, my mother's handwriting read:
Thomas Reed, the day he promised to leave our family alone.
I stared at the photograph.
"Who is that?""
Rebecca looked at me.
"Thomas.""
"But why would Mom take a photograph with him?""
"Because this was taken six months before she died.""
Dad leaned forward.
"Rebecca, what are you saying?""
My aunt placed the photograph beside the email.
"I'm saying Vanessa's brother has been involved in this since before your wedding. And I think the document he claims Laura signed may not be the only thing he has hidden.""
She opened her folder and removed a photocopy of a hospital record.
The date was the morning my mother died.
At the bottom was a handwritten notation.
*Emergency call received at 10:42 p.m.*
Rebecca looked at Dad.
"Michael, what time did you receive the hospital's call?""
He stared at the page.
"Just after eleven.""
Rebecca pointed to another line.
"And what time did the ambulance arrive at the house?""
Dad read the entry.
His face changed.
"Eleven seventeen.""
Rebecca nodded.
"Then we need to establish what happened between the first emergency call and the ambulance's arrival.""
I looked at Vanessa through the study doorway.
She was staring at the floor, her face drained of color.
Then Eleanor spoke.
"There is one more issue. The bank has just confirmed that Harbor Crest Holdings is preparing to submit an additional document tomorrow morning. If it is accepted, it could complicate the property dispute considerably.""
Dad stood abruptly.
"What document?""
Eleanor looked at the photocopy.
"A claim that Laura transferred part of her interest in the property before she died.""
Rebecca's hand tightened around the photograph.
"That's impossible.""
Eleanor nodded.
"Which is why we need to see the original.""
I felt a chill move through me.
Because I suddenly understood what Vanessa's brother had been doing.
He hadn't merely been helping her sell the house.
He had been preparing to rewrite the past.
And if he had a document bearing my mother's signature, he might be able to convince a bank, a court, or even my father that my mother's wishes had been different from what she had actually intended.
Dad looked at me.
"Emily, did you find anything else among your mother's belongings?""
I thought of the cedar chest, the journals, the hidden flash drive, and the torn letter.
Then I remembered the envelope that had been tucked beneath the lining of the jewelry box.
The one I'd never opened because Vanessa had taken it before I could search the entire compartment.
I looked at Eleanor.
"There's something else.""
She leaned forward.
"What is it?""
I swallowed.
"A hidden letter. I think there might be another part of it.""
Rebecca's face changed.
"Where?""
"In the garage. I found the jewelry box there.""
My father stood.
"Let's get it.""
We walked toward the garage together.
But when we reached the door, I stopped.
The mattress was gone.
The storage bin was gone.
The jewelry box was gone.
Even the old blanket had disappeared.
Vanessa stood beside the washing machine holding a black trash bag.
She looked at the four of us.
Then she dropped the bag.
It hit the floor with a soft, heavy thud.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
Dad's voice was cold.
"What have you done?""
Vanessa looked at me.
"I thought I could fix it.""
Rebecca stepped forward and opened the bag.
Inside were torn photographs, old letters, my mother's journals, and the broken pieces of the wooden jewelry box.
My knees nearly gave way.
Vanessa had destroyed them.
All of them.
Then Eleanor knelt beside the bag and carefully lifted a folded piece of paper from the debris.
Her expression changed as she read the first line.
She looked at Rebecca.
Then at Dad.
Finally, she turned toward me.
"Emily," she said quietly, "I think your mother knew this might happen.""
She unfolded the paper.
At the top was a sentence written in my mother's handwriting.
If Thomas Reed ever claims that I signed away my daughter's future, ask him where he was on the night I died.
Nobody spoke.
Then Rebecca whispered, "Oh, my God.""
She looked toward the house.
"Thomas wasn't just trying to change the trust.""
May you like
She swallowed.
"He may have been trying to make sure Laura never got the chance to change anything again.""
