Chapter 6: The Notebook
Nobody moved.
The black notebook sat in Claire’s hand like a weapon.
Because sometimes the truth was more dangerous than any threat.
Vanessa stared at it.
“You shouldn’t have that.””
Claire gave a tired smile.
“You said that five years ago too.””
My eyes moved between them.
“What is in that notebook?””
Claire looked at me.
“Everything.””
Vanessa laughed.
A cold, empty laugh.
“You really think a notebook will change anything?””
“Yes.””
Claire’s voice was quiet.
“Because it proves you planned all of this before you ever met Daniel.””
I felt the air leave my lungs.
I looked at Vanessa.
“Is that true?””
She didn’t answer.
And her silence was enough.
“Vanessa?””
Her eyes turned toward me.
“I was going to tell you.””
“Tell me what?””
“That I had a reason.””
I shook my head.
“Everyone has a reason.””
I looked at Lily.
“But not everyone locks someone in a room.””
Vanessa looked away.
Claire opened the notebook.
“The first page is dated three months before Vanessa met Daniel.””
She read aloud.
“Target: Daniel Carter.””
My stomach dropped.
Lily grabbed my hand.
Claire continued.
“Assets. Family history. Financial records.””
She looked at Vanessa.
“You studied him.””
Vanessa’s face hardened.
“I studied the man responsible.””
“Daniel wasn’t responsible for your pain.””
“He was his father’s son.””
The words came out like venom.
I stepped back.
“You didn’t love me.””
Vanessa looked at me.
“I did.””
“No.””
My voice became stronger.
“You loved a version of me you created.””
She looked hurt.
But I couldn’t feel sorry anymore.
Not after Claire.
Not after Lily.
Detective Brooks took the notebook.
“This is enough to charge you.””
Vanessa smiled.
“You think that’s enough?””
She looked around.
“You still don’t know everything.””
Claire’s expression changed.
“What are you talking about?””
Vanessa looked directly at her.
“You really thought you were the victim?””
The room went silent.
I hated that sentence.
Because it sounded like another manipulation.
But Claire looked afraid.
“What do you mean?””
Vanessa stepped closer.
“Tell him.””
Claire didn’t move.
“Tell him why you were leaving.””
My eyes turned to Claire.
“Claire?””
She closed her eyes.
“I was going to explain.””
My chest tightened.
“Explain what?””
Claire looked at Lily.
Then at me.
“Before I disappeared, I discovered your father’s secret.””
“What secret?””
She swallowed.
“Your father didn’t steal Thomas Vale’s company.””
I frowned.
“Then what happened?””
“He saved it.””
Nobody spoke.
“What?””
Claire looked at Vanessa.
“Thomas Vale was the one who committed fraud.””
Vanessa’s face changed.
“No.””
“Yes.””
Claire held the notebook.
“Your father covered it up because he didn’t want an innocent man destroyed.””
I stared.
“Then why did Vanessa believe this story?””
Claire answered softly.
“Because Thomas Vale was her father.””
Everything clicked.
Vanessa wasn’t trying to punish me.
She was trying to punish my family.
But she had built her revenge on a lie.
Vanessa’s eyes filled with rage.
“You’re lying.””
Claire shook her head.
“I found the documents.””
“Where?””
“In the place you never checked.””
Vanessa stepped back.
“Where?””
Claire looked at me.
“In your father’s old study.””
My heart sank.
The room where I grew up.
The room I hadn’t entered since his funeral.
Vanessa suddenly moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
She grabbed Lily.
My body reacted instantly.
“Let her go!””
Lily screamed.
Vanessa pulled her close.
“I’m sorry.””
Her voice trembled.
“I really am.””
Detective Brooks reached for his weapon.
“Release the child.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“You don’t understand.””
She looked at me.
“I spent five years losing everything.””
“No.””
I stepped forward.
“You took everything from us.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
Then she whispered:
“I didn’t start this.””
A phone rang.
Everyone froze.
The sound came from inside Vanessa’s coat.
She looked at the screen.
Her face changed.
Fear.
Real fear.
I saw it.
And I knew.
There was someone else.
Vanessa answered.
“Hello?””
A man’s voice came through.
Even from a distance, I could hear the anger.
Vanessa went pale.
“I told you I handled it.””
A pause.
Then:
“No, he found the notebook.””
My blood ran cold.
Vanessa looked at me.
The man on the phone said something.
Her hand began shaking.
Then she whispered:
“But you promised you would protect me.””
Silence.
Her eyes lifted.
And the next words destroyed everything.
“Daniel…”
She slowly lowered the phone.
“He knows you’re here.””
“Who?””
Vanessa looked toward the dark hallway.
May you like
And said:
“Your father’s business partner.””
