Chapter 8: The Person Behind The Request
Nobody moved after Vanessa said the name.
It was like the room itself needed time to understand.
“Ethan.””
That was the name.
Just one name.
But it changed my father’s expression instantly.
“Why is he calling you?””
Vanessa didn’t answer.
Her phone kept vibrating.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The sound filled the room.
“Pick it up,” Marcus said.
Vanessa looked at him.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.””
“That’s exactly why you should.””
Her fingers shook as she answered.
“Hello?””
Nobody spoke.
But everyone listened.
I watched Vanessa’s face.
At first, she looked nervous.
Then confused.
Then angry.
“No, that wasn’t supposed to happen.””
My father’s eyes narrowed.
My heart raced.
Who was Ethan?
Why did he know about my ticket?
Why did Vanessa look like she was trying to hide a fire that had already spread?
“I said I would handle it,” Vanessa whispered.
A pause.
Then her face changed.
“Don’t call him.””
My father stepped closer.
“Give me the phone.””
Vanessa turned away.
“No.””
That single word said everything.
Marcus stopped.
Not because he was backing down.
Because he had heard enough.
“You’re protecting him.””
“I’m protecting this family.””
“No.””
His voice was low.
“You’re protecting yourself.””
Vanessa ended the call.
Immediately.
The silence afterward was worse.
“Who is Ethan?”” I asked.
Vanessa closed her eyes.
Nobody answered.
“Who is Ethan?””
My father looked at me.
“Maya…”
“No.””
I stood.
“I deserve to know.””
Marcus nodded slowly.
“Yes.””
Then he looked at Vanessa.
“Tell her.””
Vanessa sat down.
She looked exhausted.
“Ethan was someone I knew before I met Marcus.””
My father’s jaw tightened.
“That’s not the full story.””
Vanessa looked at him.
“Marcus.””
“No.””
He shook his head.
“Maya needs the truth.””
I stared between them.
“What truth?””
Vanessa looked at her hands.
“Ethan helped me with something.””
“What?””
She didn’t answer.
My father did.
“He had access to documents.””
My stomach tightened.
“What documents?””
Vanessa looked up.
“Family records.””
The words felt strange.
“What does that mean?””
Nobody answered.
Then Brielle spoke.
“Mom…”
Vanessa looked at her.
“Not now.””
Brielle shook her head.
“No.””
Her eyes filled.
“I’m tired of not knowing either.””
That surprised me.
Because until that moment, I thought Brielle had been part of everything.
But maybe she had only been standing close to the secrets.
Not holding them.
“I didn’t know about Ethan,” Brielle whispered.
Vanessa looked away.
My father picked up his phone again.
“I’m calling the airline back.””
Vanessa stood quickly.
“Marcus, wait.””
He looked at her.
“What?””
“Please.””
The word sounded desperate.
I had never heard Vanessa say please like that.
My father stopped.
“Why?””
She didn’t answer.
“Why should I wait?””
Her eyes moved to me.
And something about that scared me.
Because she looked at me with sadness.
Not anger.
Not frustration.
Sadness.
“I was trying to protect Maya.””
I almost couldn’t believe what I heard.
“Protect me?””
“Yes.””
“By taking my trip?””
“No.””
Her voice cracked.
“By keeping something from you.””
My father stared.
“What something?””
Vanessa looked at me.
Then at the staircase.
Like she was thinking about running.
Finally, she whispered:
“Your mother left something behind.””
The room went still.
I felt my hands go cold.
“My mother?””
Vanessa nodded.
“Something important.””
“What?””
“I don’t know.””
My father frowned.
“You don’t know?””
“Ethan does.””
Nobody spoke.
Then Marcus’s phone rang again.
This time, it wasn’t the airline.
It was an unknown number.
He answered.
“Hello?””
A man’s voice came through the speaker.
My father’s face changed.
“Who is this?””
A pause.
Then Marcus looked at Vanessa.
May you like
Because whoever was on the phone had just said one sentence:
“Ask your wife why she changed Maya’s inheritance documents.””
