Chapter 5: The Uncle They Told Me Was Dead
I read the name again.
*Daniel Bennett.*
My mother's older brother.
The uncle who used to send me birthday cards with tiny drawings in the corners.
The uncle who had once promised to take me to London to see the theaters.
The uncle who had disappeared from our lives shortly after my mother's funeral.
I looked at my father.
“Where is Uncle Daniel?””
Richard didn't answer.
Vanessa gave a nervous laugh.
“Your uncle hasn't been part of this family for years.””
“That isn't what I asked.””
“He moved overseas.””
“You told me he died.””
My voice cracked on the final word.
Vanessa looked irritated.
“Maya, you were a child. You misunderstood.””
“I was nine. I remember asking where he was. You said he died in a car accident.””
My father slowly lifted his head.
“Vanessa.””
She ignored him.
“Children remember things incorrectly.””
I stepped closer.
“Then why is he named as the protector of Mom's trust?””
Olivia Collins closed her folder.
“Because he was formally appointed. According to the latest records, the appointment has never been revoked.””
Mr. Harrison nodded.
“I haven't spoken to Daniel in several years, but I know he is alive.””
My knees almost gave way.
“He's alive?””
“Yes.””
“Where is he?””
Olivia checked her phone.
“We have an address. He currently lives outside Boston.””
I stared at her.
“Can I talk to him?””
“Of course. But first, we need to establish whether he is aware of the attempted transfer.””
My father stood.
“This is getting out of control.””
I turned toward him.
“Why did you let me believe my uncle was dead?””
He rubbed his face.
“Your mother and Daniel had a disagreement.””
“What disagreement?””
“Business matters.””
Vanessa finally spoke.
“Daniel wanted control over Eleanor's work. Your mother refused. They stopped speaking.””
Olivia looked up.
“That's not what the documents say.””
Vanessa's mouth tightened.
“What would you know about their relationship?””
Olivia calmly removed another page.
“I know Daniel filed a formal objection to the proposed transfer seven years ago.””
My father looked shocked.
“What?””
“He argued that Maya's inheritance was being improperly managed. The objection was withdrawn after he received a letter supposedly written by Richard.””
My father frowned.
“I never wrote him a letter.””
The room went silent.
Olivia turned the page around.
“Then who did?””
Vanessa's face had lost its color.
Brielle looked at her mother.
“Mom?””
Vanessa grabbed the document.
“That's enough. You're not going to interrogate me in front of strangers.””
Mr. Harrison took the paper back.
“This is no longer a private disagreement. It concerns a charitable foundation and a minor beneficiary.””
Vanessa looked at Richard.
“Take your daughter home.””
My father didn't move.
For the first time, I wondered whether he was finally beginning to understand what he had allowed to happen.
Olivia gathered the documents.
“I'll contact Daniel tonight. If he agrees, we can arrange a meeting tomorrow.””
I nodded.
“Please.””
As we left the conference room, Brielle caught up with me near the ballroom entrance.
“Maya.””
I kept walking.
“Wait.””
I turned.
She was still wearing the stolen white wings.
One feather had fallen loose and was caught between the straps of her dress.
“What?”” I asked.
Brielle looked around to make sure Vanessa wasn't nearby.
“I didn't know about the trust.””
I stared at her.
“You didn't know my mother had made those designs?””
“I knew she made some things. Mom said she had given them to her.””
“Did you believe that?””
Brielle hesitated.
Then she looked down.
“I wanted to believe it.””
I almost laughed.
“That's convenient.””
She reached behind her shoulders and began unfastening the wings.
The straps were twisted.
“Can you help me?””
I didn't move.
She struggled for several seconds before the wings finally slipped free.
She held them out.
“Here.””
I looked at the white feathers.
The wings I had spent weeks making.
The wings Vanessa had ripped from my back.
I took them without saying thank you.
Brielle swallowed.
“Are you going to tell everyone what happened?””
“Everyone already saw it.””
“Mom says you're trying to destroy us.””
I looked at her.
“No, Brielle. I'm trying to find out what happened to my mother.””
She lowered her voice.
“There's something else.””
I waited.
“Mom has a room upstairs. A locked room. She keeps all the old sketches there.””
My heart began beating faster.
“Why are you telling me?””
“Because I saw something last week.””
“What?””
Brielle glanced toward the staircase.
“A photograph of your mother. She was standing beside a man. Mom was crying in the picture.””
I frowned.
“Who was the man?””
“I don't know. But Mom said his name once.””
“What name?””
Brielle leaned closer.
“Daniel.””
Before I could ask anything else, Vanessa appeared behind her.
“Brielle! Get over here!””
Brielle flinched.
Vanessa looked at the white wings in my hands.
“You're taking those?””
“They're mine,” I replied.
Vanessa stepped closer.
“Everything in that house belongs to this family.””
I held her gaze.
“Then why are you afraid of what's in your bedroom safe?””
Her face changed.
For one brief second, the mask slipped.
Then she smiled.
“You should be careful, Maya. Some doors are better left closed.””
I walked away.
But as I reached the ballroom entrance, my phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
*Unknown: Maya Bennett? This is Daniel. Your mother told me that if you ever contacted me about the collection, I should meet you immediately.*
My fingers trembled.
A second message arrived.
*Daniel: Don't trust the story your father told you about my disappearance.*
Then a third.
*Daniel: And whatever you do, don't let Vanessa find out that I've contacted you.*
I looked back.
Vanessa was standing near the staircase.
May you like
She was watching me.
And she was holding her phone.
Related Stories
