Chapter 3: The Secret Inside the Music Box

I had never heard Vanessa speak in that tone before.

Not angry.

Not defensive.

Afraid.

I stood up, keeping Nia behind me.

"What is inside the music box?""

Vanessa looked toward our daughter.

"Nothing. She's making things up.""

Nia shook her head.

"Mom told me herself.""

Vanessa pressed her lips together.

"She was eight years old when Emily died. Children misunderstand things.""

"Then you won't mind showing me the box.""

Vanessa hesitated.

"It's packed away.""

"Where?""

"In the closet.""

"Then let's go.""

She stared at me for several seconds before turning around.

Her closet was at the far end of the upstairs hallway, inside the master bedroom. Vanessa walked ahead of us, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor.

I followed with Nia holding my hand.

When we entered the bedroom, Vanessa opened the closet door.

Designer coats hung along one side. Boxes of handbags occupied the upper shelves. At the bottom sat three plastic storage containers.

"Which one?"" I asked.

Vanessa sighed.

"I don't remember.""

Nia stepped forward.

"The clear one. Under the winter blankets.""

Vanessa turned sharply.

"Stay out of this, Nia.""

My daughter stopped.

I moved the container aside and lifted the blanket.

There it was.

A small wooden music box with a painted white ballerina.

The corners were scratched. One of the little brass hinges was loose.

But it was unmistakably Emily's.

Nia made a small sound.

"Mommy's.""

She reached for it.

Vanessa grabbed it first.

"Let me.""

I looked at her.

"Give it to Nia.""

"It's fragile.""

"Then be careful.""

For a moment, neither of us moved.

Finally, she placed it in my hands.

I gave it to my daughter.

Nia held it against her chest and gently lifted the lid.

The ballerina began turning.

A familiar melody drifted through the bedroom.

Emily's song.

Nia closed her eyes.

For several seconds, nobody spoke.

Then she opened her eyes and reached beneath the velvet lining.

Her fingers found a small folded piece of paper.

"Dad?""

I knelt beside her.

"What is it?""

She carefully unfolded it.

The handwriting was unmistakable.

Emily's.

My hands began shaking.

The note was short.

My sweet Nia,

If you're reading this, you're old enough to understand that some things are worth protecting. The people who love you will never ask you to be ashamed of where you came from.

I have left something important in this box. Daddy knows what to do with it.

Remember, you are never less loved because someone else has entered your family.

Forever yours, Mommy.

Nia pressed the note against her heart.

I felt my throat tighten.

"Your mother wrote this for you," I whispered.

Nia nodded.

"She told me about it when she was sick. She said I should open it when I was old enough.""

I looked inside the box again.

There was a small hidden compartment beneath the ballerina's base.

I carefully lifted it.

Inside lay a tiny brass key and another envelope.

The envelope had my name written across it.

Daniel.

I stared at it.

Vanessa took one step backward.

"Maybe you shouldn't read that now.""

I turned toward her.

"Why?""

"Because it's private.""

"Emily wrote it to me.""

Vanessa reached toward the envelope.

I moved it away.

"Don't.""

I opened it.

The first few lines were ordinary. Emily wrote about Nia's future, her favorite bedtime stories, and the way she hoped I would keep singing even when life became difficult.

Then I reached a paragraph that made me stop breathing.

Daniel, the jewelry is not the only thing I left for Nia. Before my final treatment, I arranged something with our attorney. The documents are kept in a safety deposit box. The key is inside the music box.

I looked down at the tiny brass key.

Emily continued.

Please don't let anyone convince you that Nia must surrender what was meant for her simply because our family changes. I trust you to protect her.

My eyes moved to the final paragraph.

If someone has already accessed her belongings or attempted to use what I left behind, please contact Mr. Harris immediately. He has copies of every instruction I signed.

I read that paragraph twice.

Then I looked at Vanessa.

She was staring at the key.

"What did you do?"" I asked.

Vanessa shook her head.

"Nothing.""

"Then why are you afraid of this letter?""

She crossed her arms.

"You're twisting everything. Emily was sick. She probably didn't know what she was writing.""

Nia stepped closer to me.

"Mom said Daddy would know what the key was for.""

I held the key tightly.

"Who is Mr. Harris?""

"Emily's attorney," I answered.

Vanessa let out a nervous laugh.

"Daniel, that was years ago. Why drag lawyers into a family disagreement?""

"Because this isn't a family disagreement anymore.""

I took out my phone and searched for the number I'd kept in an old email.

Before I could call, Vanessa spoke again.

"Fine. I moved the jewelry. I thought it was safer with me.""

"Where?""

She looked at Nia.

"I sold some things.""

Nia's face crumpled.

I felt the room tilt.

"Which things?""

Vanessa began pacing.

"Just a few pieces. We had expenses. Tyler needed money for his school trip, and Madison needed new things. I was going to replace them eventually.""

"With what money?""

"My money!""

I stared at her.

"Emily's jewelry wasn't yours to sell.""

Vanessa raised her voice.

"You have no idea how expensive it is to raise three children!""

I pointed toward the hallway.

"Nia's shoes cost twenty-five dollars.""

Vanessa opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

Then Nia asked the question that broke my heart.

"Did you sell Mommy's locket too?""

Vanessa looked away.

My daughter began crying again.

I wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Listen to me, sweetheart. Whatever happened, your mother's memories belong to you. Nobody gets to take those away.""

I called Mr. Harris.

He answered on the fourth ring.

"Daniel? It's been a long time.""

"I need your help. I found Emily's letter. She left a key for a safety deposit box.""

There was a pause.

Then his voice changed.

"Daniel, where did you find that key?""

"In her music box.""

Another pause.

"Do not give that key to anyone. And don't let anyone access that box before we speak.""

I looked at Vanessa.

"Why?""

Mr. Harris lowered his voice.

"Because Emily didn't just leave jewelry for Nia. She established a protected trust in your daughter's name.""

My heart began pounding.

"What kind of trust?""

"Daniel, I think you should come to my office tomorrow morning. There are some things about Emily's final arrangements that you need to understand.""

I glanced at the music box.

Then at the woman standing across the room.

Vanessa had gone completely white.

But Mr. Harris wasn't finished.

"There's one more thing," he said.

"What?""

"According to the records, someone contacted my office eleven months ago, claiming to be authorized to manage Nia's inheritance.""

I stared at Vanessa.

"Who contacted you?""

Mr. Harris took a breath.

"Your current wife, Daniel.""

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