Chapter 11: The Person My Mother Trusted
Nobody spoke.
Not for several seconds.
The name on the paper sat between us like a secret that had finally escaped.
My father reached for the letter.
“Let me see.””
I handed it to him.
His eyes scanned the bottom.
Then he looked at Vanessa.
“You knew.””
Vanessa’s face changed.
“No.””
“Don’t do that.””
“I didn’t know she wrote this.””
“But you know the name.””
Vanessa looked away.
That was enough.
I stepped back.
“Who is it?””
My father didn’t answer.
He was still looking at the paper.
“Dad.””
Finally, he said:
“Your mother’s attorney.””
I frowned.
“An attorney?””
Marcus nodded.
“Her name is Rebecca Collins.””
Vanessa’s expression tightened.
“You shouldn’t contact her.””
Everyone turned.
My father stared.
“Why?””
Vanessa immediately looked like she regretted speaking.
“I mean…”
“No.””
Marcus held up the letter.
“Why shouldn’t we contact the person your wife trusted?””
Vanessa sat down slowly.
“I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
She looked at me.
“Of losing you.””
The answer surprised me.
Not because I believed it.
Because I didn’t know what it meant.
My father shook his head.
“You don’t get to say that after hiding this.””
“I know.””
For the first time, Vanessa didn’t defend herself.
She just looked tired.
“I know I made mistakes.””
I looked at her.
“Mistakes?””
The word sounded wrong.
She looked at me.
“I know.””
“No.””
My voice shook.
“You don’t understand.””
I pointed toward the letter.
“My mother left this for me.””
“Yes.””
“And while I was crying downstairs because I thought I wasn’t going on a trip, you knew there was something from her?””
Vanessa’s eyes filled.
“I didn’t know about the letter.””
“But you knew about the documents.””
“Yes.””
“And you still didn’t tell me.””
She looked down.
No answer.
My father picked up his phone.
“I’m calling Rebecca.””
Vanessa stood.
“Marcus, please.””
He looked at her.
“Why?””
She hesitated.
“Because if Rebecca gets involved…”
“What?””
Vanessa didn’t finish.
My father waited.
Finally, she whispered:
“She’ll tell Maya everything.””
The room went silent.
I stared at her.
“Everything about what?””
Vanessa closed her eyes.
And that was when I realized something.
The letter wasn’t the secret.
The letter was the beginning.
My father called.
The phone rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Then a woman answered.
“Hello?””
Marcus put it on speaker.
“Rebecca Collins?””
“Yes.””
“My name is Marcus Carter.””
A pause.
Then:
“Marcus?””
Her voice changed.
Like she immediately knew something was wrong.
“Yes.””
“Is Maya with you?””
Everyone froze.
My father looked at me.
“Yes.””
Another pause.
Then Rebecca said:
“Then it’s time.””
My heart started pounding.
“Time for what?”” Marcus asked.
Rebecca sighed.
“I was hoping you would never need to call me.””
My father’s jaw tightened.
“Why?””
“Because the fact that you’re calling means someone tried to interfere.””
Vanessa looked away.
Rebecca continued.
“Did Maya receive the letter?””
Marcus looked at me.
“Yes.””
“Then you need to know the truth.””
I stepped closer to the phone.
“What truth?””
Rebecca’s voice softened.
“Maya, your mother knew there would be a fight over what she left you.””
I swallowed.
“Why?””
“Because someone close to you had already started asking questions before your mother passed away.””
My father looked at Vanessa.
“Who?””
Rebecca paused.
Then answered:
“Someone who believed they deserved what belonged to Maya.””
My hands tightened around the letter.
“Who?””
Another pause.
Then Rebecca said a name.
And Vanessa immediately sat down.
Because it was not Ethan.
It was not a stranger.
It was someone even closer.
May you like
Someone who had been helping raise me.
Someone who had been inside our home.
