Chapter 4: The Secret Rachel Left Behind
Vanessa stood in the doorway, staring at the letter in my hands.
For several seconds, neither of us moved.
Then she took one cautious step into the office.
“Marcus, where did you get that?””
I folded the letter.
“It's Rachel's.””
“I can see that.””
“Then why are you asking?””
Vanessa glanced at the blue folder on the desk. Her eyes moved over the documents, lingering on the sealed envelopes.
“Those papers are private.””
I almost laughed.
“My late wife's letter to me is private?””
“You're twisting my words.””
“No, Vanessa. I'm starting to understand them.””
She approached the desk.
“Listen, whatever Rachel wrote, you shouldn't take it seriously. She was sick. She was confused toward the end.””
My grip tightened around the letter.
“Don't.””
“Marcus, I'm only saying she wasn't herself.””
“She was my daughter's mother. She knew exactly who she was.””
Vanessa sighed and rubbed her forehead.
“This is exactly why I didn't want you digging through old documents. You become emotional, and then you start imagining things.””
I looked at her.
“Why did you tell Gregory Mills that Rachel left something behind?””
Vanessa froze.
“Who?””
“The attorney you contacted. The man you wanted to discuss sending Nia away.””
She recovered quickly.
“I spoke to a lawyer about educational options. That's not illegal.””
“And you mentioned Rachel's documents.””
“I don't remember.””
I placed the letter on the desk.
“Did you know about Nia's inheritance?””
Vanessa's silence lasted only a second.
But it was enough.
“That's what this is about, isn't it?”” I asked.
She laughed nervously.
“Don't be ridiculous.””
“Rachel mentioned trust documents.””
“Rachel had all sorts of financial arrangements. You know that.””
I stared at her.
“Tell me what you know.””
Vanessa walked toward the window.
“I know Rachel's family had money. I know there was some investment account. I never paid much attention because you always handled the finances.””
“What investment account?””
She turned.
“I don't know, Marcus!””
Her voice was too loud.
I looked back at the blue folder.
There was a small card tucked behind Rachel's will. I pulled it out.
A name was printed across the top.
*HARRISON & COLE — TRUST ADMINISTRATION.*
Below it was a handwritten telephone number and the name of an attorney: Evelyn Harrison.
I remembered Rachel mentioning her once.
She had said Evelyn was the only person she trusted with Nia's future.
I slipped the card into my pocket.
Vanessa noticed.
“What are you doing?””
“Calling someone.””
“Who?””
“Someone Rachel trusted.””
Vanessa stepped toward me.
“Marcus, don't do this.””
I looked at her.
“Why?””
“Because you're destroying our marriage over a misunderstanding.””
I picked up the folder.
“Our marriage isn't the only thing you've been hiding.””
She stared at me, then lowered her voice.
“You should think about Ava.””
I stopped.
“What about her?””
“She loves you. You're the only father she's ever known.””
I looked toward the hallway.
Ava was still asleep upstairs.
I had never treated that little girl as anything other than my own. I had attended her school performances, taught her to ride a bicycle, and sat beside her bed when she had nightmares.
None of that was going to change.
But Vanessa was using Ava as a shield.
“Don't bring Ava into this,” I said.
“She has done nothing wrong.””
Vanessa's expression softened immediately.
“Then let's stop fighting. We can discuss everything calmly.””
“After I speak to Evelyn.””
She looked away.
I walked past her.
As I reached the hallway, she spoke again.
“Rachel wasn't as innocent as you think.””
I stopped.
“What did you say?””
Vanessa folded her arms.
“You've spent years treating her like some perfect woman. But you don't know everything she did before she died.””
I turned slowly.
“Be very careful.””
Vanessa gave me a small, bitter smile.
“Maybe you should ask Evelyn why Rachel never told you the whole truth.””
I left the room without answering.
At 9:30 that morning, I called the number on the card.
A woman answered after three rings.
“Harrison & Cole. This is Evelyn.””
“I'm Marcus Reed. My late wife was Rachel Reed.””
There was a brief silence.
Then her voice softened.
“Mr. Reed. I've been wondering when you would call.””
My stomach tightened.
“You know why I'm calling?””
“I believe I do. Are you somewhere private?””
I looked through the office window.
Vanessa was standing in the kitchen, watching me.
“Yes.””
“Good. Your wife established a trust for Nia before she passed away. It contains considerably more than a standard inheritance.””
“How much?””
“I would prefer to discuss that in person.””
“Why?””
“Because there are conditions attached to it, and one of those conditions concerns anyone attempting to obtain control over Nia's assets before she reaches adulthood.””
I looked toward Vanessa again.
“Has someone contacted you?””
Evelyn hesitated.
“Yes.””
“Who?””
“Your current wife.””
My chest tightened.
“What did she want?””
“To determine whether she could become a trustee or obtain authority over Nia's financial arrangements.””
I closed my eyes.
“Did you give her anything?””
“No. Rachel was very specific about who could access those documents.””
“Who?””
“Only you, myself, and an independent trustee appointed by Rachel.””
I leaned against the wall.
“Evelyn, I need to see you.””
“Tomorrow morning. My office at ten.””
Before ending the call, she added something that made my blood run cold.
“Mr. Reed, there's another matter. Rachel left a sealed statement concerning Vanessa. She instructed me not to release it unless I believed Nia's safety or inheritance was being threatened.””
I couldn't speak.
“Do you understand what I'm saying?”” Evelyn asked.
“Yes.””
“Then please come alone.””
I ended the call.
When I returned to the kitchen, Vanessa was making coffee.
She looked up.
“Who was that?””
“Evelyn Harrison.””
The coffee pot slipped slightly in her hand.
I watched her carefully.
“Does that name mean anything to you?””
She placed the pot down.
“No.””
“Interesting. Because she remembers you.””
Vanessa turned away.
“Marcus, I'm not doing this today.””
I stepped closer.
“Tomorrow, I'm meeting her.””
She spun around.
“You can't just go behind my back!””
“It's about my daughter.””
“She's my daughter too!””
“No, Vanessa. You are her stepmother.””
The words struck harder than I expected.
Her eyes filled, but I couldn't tell whether it was hurt or anger.
“You've changed,” she whispered.
I looked at her.
“No. I just finally came home.””
Upstairs, a door opened.
Ava appeared at the top of the staircase, holding a stuffed rabbit.
“Mommy?””
Vanessa immediately wiped her eyes.
“Come here, sweetheart.””
Ava descended slowly.
“Are you fighting again?””
Vanessa knelt and hugged her.
“No, baby. Everything is fine.””
But as she held Ava, she looked over the little girl's shoulder and met my eyes.
Her expression was different now.
Cold.
Calculating.
And I knew she had understood one thing.
I was no longer going to take her word for anything.
That afternoon, I received a text from an unknown number.
Mr. Reed, this is Gregory Mills. Your wife asked me to contact you. I believe you should hear her side before making any decisions.
I stared at the message.
Then another arrived.
There are matters concerning Rachel's death that you may not be aware of.
My hands went numb.
May you like
Because I had thought this was about money.
But suddenly, I wasn't sure it was.
