Chapter 4 - What Vanessa Had Been Protecting
Vanessa finally agreed to see Daniel.
She was brought into the interview room wearing jail clothes.
She looked exhausted.
Daniel sat across from her.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Finally, Vanessa whispered:
“Is Lily safe?”
“Yes.”
“Thank God.”
“You're Anna Vale.”
She closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
“You lied to me.”
“Yes.”
“You married me under a false identity.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Vanessa looked at him.
“Because your father hired me.”
Daniel's jaw tightened.
“My father?”
“He knew someone was stealing money from the foundation.”
“And you investigated it?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did you stay?”
“Because I found something worse.”
“What?”
Vanessa leaned closer.
“Your father wasn't the thief.”
Daniel froze.
“Who was?”
“You.”
His face went blank.
“What?”
“You inherited the foundation after your father's death.”
“I never touched the accounts.”
“I know.”
“Then why say it was me?”
“Because someone used your identity.”
Daniel stared.
“Who?”
“Your uncle.”
Daniel's blood ran cold.
His father's younger brother had disappeared years earlier.
He had been presumed dead.
Vanessa continued.
“He created accounts using your name.”
Daniel shook his head.
“That makes no sense.”
“It does when you understand the plan.”
“What plan?”
“He wanted you arrested.”
“Why?”
“To take control of the company.”
Daniel stared.
“And you?”
“I was sent to expose him.”
“By whom?”
Vanessa hesitated.
“The man you saw at the red-door house.”
“Who is he?”
“Marcus Vale.”
Daniel froze.
“Your brother?”
Vanessa nodded.
“My older brother.”
“Why would he help you?”
“He wasn't helping me.”
She looked terrified.
“He was threatening me.”
Daniel leaned forward.
“Why?”
“Because Marcus knew the truth.”
“What truth?”
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
“He was the one stealing the money.”
Daniel stared.
“Then why didn't you expose him?”
“Because he had Lily.”
Daniel's heart stopped.
“He kidnapped our daughter?”
“Not exactly.”
“What does that mean?”
Vanessa began crying.
“Before Lily was born, Marcus discovered I was investigating him.”
“He threatened me.”
“I thought he would kill me.”
“So I disappeared.”
Daniel's voice softened.
“And then?”
“I met you.”
She smiled sadly.
“You were the first person who made me feel safe.”
Daniel looked away.
“Was any of it real?”
“All of it.”
She placed her hand against the glass.
“I loved you.”
Daniel swallowed.
“Then why did you hurt Lily?”
“I didn't.”
“Lily said you dragged her.”
“I was trying to get her away from Marcus.”
Daniel froze.
Vanessa continued.
“He came to the house that night.”
“He wanted the evidence.”
“Lily saw him.”
“She recognized him.”
“So he tried to take her.”
Daniel stared.
“Then why did you look like you were hurting her?”
“Because I was pulling her away from him.”
Daniel's entire understanding shifted.
The bruises.
The screaming.
The red door.
The secret identity.
None of it was what it seemed.
Vanessa whispered:
“I was trying to save her.”
Daniel's eyes filled with tears.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because Marcus was watching you.”
She looked toward the door.
“He said if I told you, you'd die.”
Daniel stood.
“What evidence does he want?”
Vanessa shook her head.
“The evidence isn't with me.”
“Where is it?”
May you like
She whispered:
“Inside Lily's teddy bear.”
