Chapter 4: The Address She Was Never Supposed to Know
“Tell me you didn't give Vanessa the address of Ava's father's house.””
Evelyn's voice trembled as she stood beside the Christmas table, her phone clenched in one hand. The chandelier illuminated every line of tension across her face.
Daniel stared at her.
“What are you talking about?””
Evelyn glanced at Robert, then at me. Her eyes lingered on my father's expression before returning to her son.
“Answer me, Daniel.””
“I don't even know what you're accusing me of.””
“You invited her into our family. You introduced her to people who had no business meeting her. You told her things you had no right to tell her.””
Daniel's face hardened.
“You were the one who invited her tonight.””
A few guests exchanged uncomfortable looks.
Evelyn slapped her phone onto the table.
“Because I thought I knew what I was doing!””
The words echoed through the dining room.
I stood beside my father, still wearing the emerald dress stained with soup. Someone had brought a clean towel, but I had barely touched it. My attention was fixed on Evelyn.
“What address?”” I asked.
Evelyn didn't answer.
“Whose address are you talking about?””
Robert slowly removed his glasses and folded them in his hand.
“Evelyn,” he said, “I suggest you answer my daughter.””
She turned toward him.
“This doesn't concern you.””
“My daughter's name was just mentioned. My address was just mentioned. And a woman wearing my dead wife's necklace has run out of this house after threatening my daughter. I assure you, it concerns me.””
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
“Can everybody stop talking as if there's some criminal investigation happening?””
My father looked at him.
“Then perhaps you can explain why your mother is frightened of an address.””
Daniel opened his mouth, but Evelyn interrupted.
“Because Vanessa has been asking questions about your family.””
My stomach tightened.
“What questions?””
Evelyn looked at me with open irritation.
“She wanted to know about your mother.””
The room seemed to tilt.
I stepped away from my father.
“What did she ask?””
“Nothing important.””
“Then tell me.””
Evelyn's lips pressed together.
I had spent four years trying to earn her approval. I had brought her flowers on her birthday, remembered the names of her friends, and sat through dinners where she compared my clothes to those of women she considered more suitable for Daniel.
I had never once seen her look at me as if I were a threat.
Until now.
“Did Vanessa ask about my mother's funeral?”” I demanded.
Evelyn said nothing.
“Did she ask where Mom was buried?””
Daniel turned toward his mother.
“Mom?””
Evelyn picked up her phone.
“This conversation is over.””
Robert stepped in front of the hallway.
“No, it isn't.””
She stared at him.
“You cannot block my way in my own house.””
“I'm not stopping you from leaving. I'm asking you to stop lying.””
Her mouth tightened.
“You've always believed the world revolves around you, Robert.””
“No. I believe my wife deserves to rest in peace.””
The word wife landed heavily between them.
Evelyn's expression shifted.
For one fleeting second, I saw something beneath her anger.
Recognition.
Then she looked away.
My father noticed it, too.
“You knew my wife,” he said.
“Of course I knew her. She was your wife.””
“That isn't what I asked.””
Evelyn walked toward the table and poured herself a glass of water. Her hand shook enough that water splashed onto the white tablecloth.
“I have known hundreds of people over the years. I am not responsible for every piece of jewelry someone chooses to wear.””
“Then why are you afraid of Vanessa's questions?”” I asked.
She put the glass down.
“Because women like Vanessa don't ask questions unless they want something.””
Daniel gave a bitter laugh.
“You were perfectly happy with her sitting beside me twenty minutes ago.””
“Don't be childish.””
“You told everyone she belonged here.””
“And she did!””
The sudden force of Evelyn's voice silenced him.
She took a breath and straightened the cuff of her red dress.
“Vanessa understands this family. She knows how to behave. She doesn't walk around demanding explanations for every decision someone makes.””
I looked at Daniel.
“Is that why you chose her?””
He didn't answer.
I stepped closer.
“Because she doesn't ask you to defend me?””
His eyes filled with shame.
“Ava, please.””
“No. You have spent this entire evening asking me to be quiet. I'm done being quiet.””
My father placed a hand on my shoulder.
I turned back toward Evelyn.
“Tell me what Vanessa wanted from you.””
Evelyn looked toward the front door, as though she expected Vanessa to return.
Then she whispered, “She wanted to know whether your mother had left anything behind.””
My throat tightened.
“Anything like what?””
“I don't know.””
“Stop lying!””
The words burst out of me before I could stop them.
A guest near the fireplace lowered her wineglass.
I had never shouted at Evelyn before.
She looked genuinely stunned.
I continued, my voice shaking.
“My mother died when I was a child. I grew up believing I knew everything there was to know about her final days. Now a stranger is wearing the necklace she was buried in, and you're telling me that stranger has been asking questions about my mother?””
Evelyn's expression hardened.
“Your mother wasn't the woman you think she was.””
My father moved so quickly that Daniel instinctively stepped between them.
“Careful,” Robert said.
Evelyn lifted her chin.
“I'm simply saying there are things you don't know.””
“Then tell us.””
“I can't.””
“Can't or won't?””
She looked at me.
For the first time that evening, she seemed unable to find a cruel remark sharp enough to protect herself.
Daniel picked up his phone.
“I'm calling Vanessa.””
Evelyn lunged toward him.
“No!””
He pulled the phone away.
“Why?””
“Because you don't know what you're getting yourself into.””
Daniel stared at his mother.
“You keep saying that. What does it mean?””
Evelyn grabbed his wrist.
“Listen to me. Whatever she tells you, whatever she claims she knows, you must not let her take you to that house.””
My father went still.
“What house?””
Evelyn released Daniel.
Her eyes widened as she realized what she had said.
I looked at my father.
He was staring at her with a terrible, dawning certainty.
Then he turned to me.
“Ava,” he said quietly, “we need to go home.””
“Why?””
He glanced at Evelyn.
“Because there's something I should have told you a long time ago.””
Before I could ask another question, Daniel's phone vibrated.
A message appeared on the screen.
Vanessa had sent him a photograph.
It showed the old silver heart pendant resting in her palm.
Beneath it were seven words.
Ask your mother what happened that night.
Daniel looked up.
“Mom,” he whispered.
“What night?””
May you like
Evelyn's face went completely white.
And my father closed his eyes.
