Chapter 5 - VANESSA’S FIRST CONFESSION
Lucas entered the bridal suite alone.
Vanessa sat before the mirror.
Her veil had been removed.
Diamonds still circled her neck.
She looked like a bride from a photograph of a wedding that had never happened.
“You lied about knowing Emily.”
Lucas remained near the door.
“You lied about working for the foundation.”
“You lied about how we met.”
Vanessa looked at her reflection.
“I knew Emily.”
Lucas waited.
“She hated me.”
“That is not what her records say.”
Vanessa turned.
“Her records?”
Lucas noticed the sudden fear in her eyes.
“You knew she kept evidence.”
Vanessa rose quickly.
“Lucas, Richard manipulated everyone.”
“He manipulated Emily.”
“He manipulated me.”
“You were receiving money from his companies.”
“I was paid to organize events.”
“You locked my daughter in a bathroom.”
Vanessa’s calm mask broke.
“Because she found a letter that could destroy everything.”
Lucas stepped closer.
“What was in it?”
“I never read the whole thing.”
“Richard took it years ago.”
“Then how did it end up beneath your wedding dress?”
Vanessa looked toward the window.
“Someone left it in my room this morning.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know.”
Lucas did not believe her.
Vanessa moved toward him.
“Richard is dangerous.”
“He killed Emily.”
The words struck Lucas with physical force.
“You know that?”
“I know he ordered her car followed.”
“I know Sophia tried to stop him.”
“I know Richard came to my apartment that night with blood on his shirt.”
Lucas grabbed the back of a chair to steady himself.
“Why did you stay silent?”
“Because he threatened my sister.”
“Sophia disappeared.”
Vanessa’s eyes filled with tears.
“Richard told me she was alive.”
“He said he would release her when I married you.”
Lucas stared at her.
“You expect me to believe this entire marriage was an attempt to save your sister?”
“At first.”
Vanessa’s voice weakened.
“Then I fell in love with you.”
Lucas looked toward the locked bathroom door visible down the hallway.
“People who love me do not terrorize my child.”
Vanessa wiped her tears.
“You do not understand what was in Emily’s second letter.”
“Then tell me.”
Vanessa whispered.
“Emily believed Lily was not the only Bennett heir.”
Lucas’s face became still.
“What does that mean?”
Before Vanessa could answer, the bedroom window shattered.
A bullet struck the mirror.
Lucas pulled Vanessa to the floor.
May you like
Written across the broken glass in red paint were four words.
KEEP SOPHIA’S NAME BURIED.
