Chapter 17: The Woman Behind The Plan
Vanessa stood at the top of the hidden staircase.
She didn’t look surprised.
That scared me.
Because surprise would have meant she had discovered us by accident.
But she looked like she had been waiting.
“You found it.””
My mother stepped in front of me.
“You followed us.””
Vanessa smiled.
“You always were dramatic, Angela.””
My fists tightened.
“You tried to destroy my family.””
She looked at me.
“No.””
Her voice was calm.
“I tried to save it.””
I almost laughed.
“Save it?””
I pointed at the hidden room.
“You lied about my mother.””
Vanessa walked down a few steps.
“I protected you from a woman who was obsessed with revenge.””
My mother’s face hardened.
“You’re still doing this?””
Vanessa ignored her.
She looked at me.
“Maya, do you really think your mother disappeared because of me?””
I stared.
“What are you saying?””
Vanessa reached the bottom step.
“I’m saying she’s been telling you half-truths.””
My mother shook her head.
“Don’t listen to her.””
Vanessa smiled.
“Of course you’d say that.””
I looked between them.
“Then prove it.””
Both women went silent.
I pointed at Vanessa.
“You claim Mom lied.””
Then I looked at my mother.
“You claim she lied.””
My voice shook.
“So show me the truth.””
Vanessa slowly reached into her bag.
She pulled out a document.
“I knew you would find this room eventually.””
My mother immediately recognized it.
“No.””
Vanessa smiled.
“Yes.””
She handed it to me.
I read the first page.
It was a DNA report.
My name was there.
Angela’s name.
And another name.
Daniel Carter.
My hands shook.
“What is this?””
Vanessa looked at me.
“Proof your mother knew Daniel was your father before she married David.””
I looked at my mother.
“Is that true?””
She looked devastated.
“Maya…”
I stepped back.
“Is it?””
She closed her eyes.
“Yes.””
The answer hurt.
Not because she had a different father.
Because once again, someone had decided I didn’t deserve the truth.
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
My mother whispered:
“Because I was afraid.””
Vanessa smiled.
“There it is.””
But I looked at Vanessa.
“Don’t.””
She stopped.
Because she realized something.
I wasn’t defending my mother.
I was defending myself.
“I’m tired of everyone using my life as a weapon.””
The room went quiet.
My mother looked at me.
Vanessa’s expression changed.
Just slightly.
“You’re more like your grandmother than I expected.””
I looked at her.
“What does that mean?””
Vanessa glanced at the documents around us.
“Your grandmother was the only person who could have stopped us.””
“Us?””
The word slipped out.
Vanessa froze.
I noticed.
“So there was an us.””
She recovered quickly.
“You’re twisting my words.””
“No.””
I stepped closer.
“You just admitted it.””
My mother looked at Vanessa.
“Who helped you?””
Vanessa laughed.
“You still don’t understand.””
She looked at me.
“This was never about replacing you.””
I frowned.
“Then what was it about?””
Her smile disappeared.
“It was about controlling what you would inherit.””
I looked at the files.
“The stolen money.””
Vanessa nodded.
“And the evidence.””
My mother stepped forward.
“What evidence?””
Vanessa looked at the folder.
“The evidence that could destroy powerful people.””
The room went silent.
I stared.
“Who?””
She didn’t answer.
Instead, she looked toward the stairs.
Then she said:
“You really thought Richard was the person in charge?””
A cold feeling moved through me.
My mother whispered:
“Who is?””
Vanessa smiled.
And for the first time, she looked afraid.
“Your grandmother’s lawyer.””
My heart stopped.
“Claire?””
Vanessa nodded.
“She wasn’t protecting you.””
She looked at me.
“She was protecting herself.””
Then the lights above us suddenly went out.
Darkness swallowed the room.
May you like
And Vanessa whispered:
“She’s here.””
