Chapter 14: The Last Thing Elena Hid
Richard immediately contacted the police and arranged for the property to be monitored.
Marcus wanted to leave the house and search for Vanessa himself.
Richard refused.
“She's not going to get another opportunity to manipulate this situation. We have evidence, a witness, and a possible attempt to recover stolen documents. Let the authorities handle it.””
Marcus looked at Maya.
She was sitting beside Margaret in the living room, holding her stuffed rabbit.
“She's frightened,” he said.
“I know. Keep her away from the entrance. Daniel can stay with you.””
By late afternoon, the police had reviewed the information Richard provided.
They advised Marcus not to confront Vanessa and to contact them immediately if she appeared.
At six thirty, Daniel noticed a vehicle slowing outside the house.
He recognized it.
“Sir.””
Marcus looked up.
“What?””
“Mrs. Vanessa's car.””
Richard, who had returned to the house, stood immediately.
“Don't approach her.””
Through the front window, Marcus watched Vanessa step out.
She wasn't carrying a handbag.
She was holding a small wooden box.
The music box.
She walked toward the front door.
Daniel opened it only after Richard instructed him to remain inside the doorway.
Vanessa smiled when she saw Marcus.
“Marcus. We need to talk.””
He didn't move.
“You need to leave.””
She looked past him.
“Where's Maya?””
“Safe.””
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
“I came to collect my belongings.””
“You brought something that belongs to my daughter.””
She lifted the music box.
“This?””
Richard stepped forward.
“That property is relevant to an ongoing legal investigation. You need to surrender it.””
Vanessa laughed.
“An investigation? Over a music box?””
Marcus looked at her.
“You knew Elena had hidden documents inside it.””
Vanessa's expression changed.
For a brief moment, her eyes moved toward the hallway.
Then she recovered.
“I don't know what you're talking about.””
“Give it to Richard.””
“No.””
Richard remained calm.
“Mrs. Reed, I advise you not to make this more difficult.””
Vanessa clutched the box.
“You don't understand what you're doing, Marcus.””
“I understand that you lied to my daughter. I understand that you took her birthday money. I understand that you hid her presents and tried to make her believe she didn't belong in her own home.””
Vanessa's face reddened.
“I raised her!””
“You made her serve food at her own birthday party.””
“She was helping!””
“She was seven years old.””
Vanessa looked toward the living room.
“Where is Caleb?””
Marcus's expression softened slightly.
“Caleb is with your sister. He's safe.””
“Then let me speak to him.””
“This is not about Caleb.””
“It is always about Caleb with you,” Vanessa snapped.
“You think he's some kind of innocent bystander? You think he doesn't know what you've done?””
Marcus stared at her.
“What have I done?””
“You gave Maya everything!””
Vanessa's voice cracked.
“Everything was always about Elena's daughter. Elena's house. Elena's money.
Elena's memories. Even after she died, she was still here, taking up space in our marriage.””
Marcus shook his head.
“You knew exactly who Maya was when you married me.””
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“I thought things would change.””
Richard stepped forward again.
“Mrs. Reed, the music box.””
For a moment, Vanessa seemed to consider throwing it.
Then she placed it on the table.
Richard opened the lid.
Inside was a tiny metal key.
He lifted it carefully.
Marcus looked at it.
“That's it?””
Vanessa's face had gone pale.
Richard examined the inside of the music box.
There was a small compartment beneath the lining.
He opened it.
A folded piece of paper and a tiny flash drive were hidden inside.
Marcus reached for the paper.
It was a handwritten note from Elena.
Marcus,
If you are reading this, someone has tried to take control of Maya's future.
Please don't mistake my silence for uncertainty. I know what I saw.
Vanessa has been asking questions about my financial arrangements for months. I discovered that she used another identity to contact the bank and attempted to obtain information about Maya's trust.
I also found evidence that she has been communicating with someone who claims to work with the insurance company.
I have preserved copies of the original correspondence.
The most important document is on the flash drive.
It shows who requested the changes and when.
Please protect Maya.
And please remember that she must never grow up believing she was the reason our family fell apart.
Marcus's eyes filled.
He looked at Vanessa.
“You knew about this.””
Vanessa said nothing.
Richard took the flash drive and placed it in an evidence bag.
“Mrs. Reed, do you know what is on this?””
Vanessa's lips tightened.
“No.””
But her eyes told a different story.
The police arrived minutes later.
They asked Vanessa to remain while they documented the recovered property and took statements.
She immediately began protesting.
“You can't arrest me for taking something from my own house!””
Richard answered calmly.
“This is not your property, and the issue is not limited to the music box.””
Vanessa turned toward Marcus.
“Tell them to leave me alone.””
Marcus looked at her.
“You should have thought about that before you involved my daughter.””
The officers escorted her outside while the investigation continued.
Before getting into the vehicle, Vanessa turned one last time.
“You think you've won?””
Marcus said nothing.
“You have no idea what Elena did.””
Marcus froze.
“What does that mean?””
Vanessa's eyes narrowed.
“Ask your mother-in-law what Elena was planning before she died.””
Then she got into the car.
Richard looked toward Margaret.
Margaret's face had gone pale.
Marcus turned.
“What did she mean?””
Margaret looked down.
“I didn't want to tell you until I knew more.””
“Tell me what?””
Margaret took a trembling breath.
“Elena was planning to leave you.””
Marcus stared.
“What?””
“She thought you were becoming too distracted by work. She wanted to take Maya and move closer to me for a while.””
Marcus felt as if the floor had shifted beneath him.
“Why didn't she tell me?””
“She intended to. But then she became ill.””
He looked toward the flash drive.
“Does Vanessa know?””
Margaret shook her head.
“I don't think she knows everything.””
Richard intervened.
“We should review the contents before drawing conclusions.””
That night, the flash drive was copied and examined by the appropriate forensic specialist.
It contained scanned documents, emails, and a short video.
The documents showed that someone had requested information about Elena's insurance policy using the name Rebecca Miller.
There were also communications with an insurance representative.
One message stood out.
The patient may be unable to complete the process herself. Please confirm whether a representative can submit the necessary paperwork.
The response was clear.
Only the named policyholder or an authorized legal representative may make changes.
The request had been rejected.
Then came the video.
Elena sat at the kitchen table.
She looked exhausted but alert.
She spoke directly into the camera.
“If anything happens to me, I need Marcus to understand something.””
She paused.
“Vanessa didn't cause my illness. I don't believe that.””
Marcus exhaled.
But Elena continued.
“What I do believe is that she knew I was vulnerable, and she tried to use that vulnerability to take control of Maya's future.””
Her eyes filled.
“I was afraid Marcus wouldn't believe me because he wanted our family to work.””
She took a breath.
“I'm not asking him to hate Vanessa. I'm asking him to protect our daughter.””
The video ended.
Marcus sat motionless.
Then the specialist opened another file.
It was an audio recording from the hospital.
Elena's voice was weak.
But her words were unmistakable.
“Please call Marcus. I need my husband.””
A nurse answered.
“We're trying, Mrs. Hayes.””
Then Elena spoke again.
“And please don't let Vanessa sign anything for Maya.””
Marcus covered his face.
Richard quietly closed the laptop.
For several minutes, nobody spoke.
Then Marcus stood.
“I need to see my daughter.””
He walked into the living room.
Maya was asleep on Margaret's lap.
He knelt beside her and gently brushed the hair from her forehead.
“Daddy?”” she murmured.
“I'm here.””
“Did Mommy leave us letters?””
Marcus smiled through his tears.
“Yes, sweetheart.””
“Did she say she loved me?””
He kissed her forehead.
“She said it a thousand different ways.””
Maya smiled and fell asleep again.
Marcus looked at Richard.
“Tomorrow, I want the whole truth.””
May you like
Richard nodded.
“Tomorrow, we finish this.””
