Chapter 7: The Truth Fiona Hid
Grant tried calling back.
Nothing.
Again.
Nothing.
The number was blocked.
He stood in the middle of the kitchen, staring at the dead screen.
Vanessa slowly sat down.
"You spoke to her.""
Grant turned.
"Yes.""
"She's lying.""
The speed of her answer told him everything.
Grant walked closer.
"You knew she was alive.""
"No.""
"You knew.""
"No!""
Her voice cracked.
For the first time, Grant saw the frightened woman underneath the carefully built image.
"You don't understand what she did.""
"Then tell me.""
Vanessa looked away.
"She ruined my family.""
Grant shook his head.
"You keep saying that.""
"Because it's true.""
Evelyn remained silent.
Grant noticed.
"You.""
He pointed at her.
"You know the whole story.""
Evelyn looked at him.
"More than anyone.""
"Then speak.""
The older woman sat down.
"When Fiona met Grant, she already knew about my family.""
Grant frowned.
"What family?""
Evelyn smiled sadly.
"Mine.""
She took a deep breath.
"Years ago, Fiona worked as an accountant for a company owned by my husband.""
Grant listened.
"She discovered money was being stolen.""
"By who?""
Evelyn looked at Vanessa.
"By my daughter.""
Vanessa's face changed.
"Mom.""
"No more lies.""
Evelyn continued.
"Vanessa was young. She made mistakes.""
Grant stared.
"Financial crimes aren't mistakes.""
Vanessa stood.
"You have no idea what happened.""
"No," Grant said.
"But I'm starting to.""
Evelyn continued.
"Fiona reported it.""
"And?""
"My husband lost everything.""
Grant looked at Vanessa.
"You blamed Fiona.""
Vanessa didn't answer.
"You blamed her because she told the truth.""
Vanessa's eyes filled with hatred.
"She destroyed us.""
"No.""
Grant's voice was cold.
"Your choices destroyed you.""
Vanessa laughed.
"You sound just like her.""
That sentence made Grant pause.
"Where is Fiona?""
Vanessa looked at him.
"I don't know.""
"You're lying.""
"Believe what you want.""
Grant grabbed his jacket.
"I'm finding her.""
Vanessa stepped in front of the door.
"You can't.""
"Move.""
"You don't know what you're walking into.""
"I know exactly what I'm walking into.""
He looked at her.
"A nightmare I invited into my house.""
Before he could leave, his phone buzzed.
A message.
From Fiona.
One photo.
A small cabin.
A mountain road.
And a handwritten note on a table.
Grant recognized it.
His heart stopped.
It was Fiona's handwriting.
Underneath the image was a location.
A place two hours away.
Then another message appeared.
Hurry.
She knows.
Grant looked at Vanessa.
"Who?""
Nobody answered.
Then a noise came from upstairs.
A scream.
"Lila!""
Grant ran.
He reached the guest room in seconds.
The window was open.
Cold air rushed inside.
Lila stood beside Owen's bed, shaking.
"Daddy.""
He grabbed her.
"What happened?""
She pointed outside.
"There was someone.""
Grant looked through the window.
A figure disappeared into the trees.
He ran downstairs.
The front door was open.
Vanessa was gone.
On the floor was a piece of paper.
A single sentence.
May you like
Stop looking for Fiona.
Or your children will lose another parent.
