Chapter 3: Fiona's Final Warning
Grant read the letter three times.
Each time, the words felt heavier.
Fiona's handwriting was unmistakable.
The same handwriting that had filled birthday cards, grocery lists, and notes left beside his coffee cup.
Now it carried a warning.
He sat on the floor of the shed while Lila watched him.
"Is Mommy mad at you?"" she asked softly.
Grant shook his head.
"No.""
"Then why did she write that?""
Because someone had been watching.
Because someone had been planning.
Because the woman he married might have entered their lives for a reason.
He kept those thoughts to himself.
Instead, he opened the rest of the box.
Inside were bank statements, photographs, and a small flash drive.
Lila touched the edge of the box.
"Mommy said this would prove everything.""
Grant looked at her.
"Everything about what?""
She whispered:
"About why she was scared.""
That evening, Grant met Daniel Cross at a quiet coffee shop.
The lawyer placed a folder on the table.
"Your wife attempted to become legal guardian over the trust.""
"Why?""
"Because if she controlled the trust, she controlled the money.""
Grant looked down.
"How much?""
Daniel hesitated.
"Enough to change someone's life.""
Grant clenched his jaw.
"What else?""
Daniel opened another file.
"Your wife also requested medical records from Fiona before her death.""
Grant frowned.
"Why would she do that?""
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
"Because Fiona suspected she was being poisoned.""
The world seemed to tilt.
"What?""
"We never had enough evidence.""
Grant stared at him.
"Are you saying Vanessa killed my wife?""
Daniel shook his head.
"I'm saying Fiona believed Vanessa wanted her gone.""
When Grant returned home, Vanessa was waiting.
She stood in the doorway.
"You went through the box.""
Grant stopped.
"How did you know?""
Her silence answered him.
"You've been watching us.""
"No.""
"Then how?""
Vanessa's expression hardened.
"Because Fiona was paranoid.""
"She knew about you.""
Vanessa laughed.
"She was always dramatic.""
Grant stepped closer.
"Why did you ask Lila about the box?""
Vanessa looked away.
"Because I knew Fiona hid something.""
"Something that could expose you.""
Her face changed.
"Careful.""
"Or what?""
For the first time, Vanessa looked like someone cornered.
"I can take everything from you.""
Grant stared.
"The children?""
"Everything.""
That night, Grant checked the security cameras.
One recording was missing.
The night Fiona died.
Someone had deleted it.
Then his phone received a message from an unknown number.
A photograph appeared.
It showed Lila holding the blue box.
Taken that same afternoon.
May you like
The message underneath was simple.
I KNOW YOU FOUND IT.
