Chapter 9: The Last Lie
Vanessa stood outside the cabin holding a flashlight.
Her face was calm.
Almost peaceful.
That frightened Grant more than anger.
"You always did this," she said.
Grant kept Fiona behind him.
"Did what?""
"Believed you were the hero.""
Vanessa stepped closer.
"You think Fiona is innocent?""
Fiona looked through the broken window.
"Don't listen to her.""
Vanessa smiled.
"Still controlling him.""
Grant stared.
"Why?""
Vanessa laughed softly.
"Because nobody ever cared about my side.""
"Your side?""
"My father lost everything because of Fiona.""
"You stole money.""
"I was fixing what was taken from me.""
Grant shook his head.
"You hurt my children.""
Vanessa's expression changed.
"I never wanted to hurt them.""
"Lila was locked outside.""
"I was angry.""
"That's your excuse?""
Silence.
Then Vanessa looked at Fiona.
"You should have died.""
Fiona stepped forward.
"And you should have turned yourself in.""
Vanessa smiled.
"Do you know what the funniest part is?""
Nobody answered.
"Lila knows.""
Grant froze.
"What?""
Vanessa reached into her coat.
She pulled out an old photograph.
A photograph of Fiona holding baby Lila.
"Fiona wasn't hiding the box because of me.""
Grant looked at Fiona.
Fiona's face went pale.
"What is she talking about?""
Vanessa smiled.
"Tell him.""
Fiona closed her eyes.
"Grant...""
"No.""
His voice cracked.
"Tell me.""
Fiona whispered:
"Lila isn't your biological daughter.""
The words destroyed the room.
Grant couldn't move.
Vanessa watched him.
"There it is.""
Fiona stepped forward.
"But she is your daughter in every way that matters.""
Grant looked at her.
"Who is her father?""
Fiona didn't answer.
Then a voice came from outside.
"I am.""
Everyone turned.
A man stood near the trees.
Older.
Carrying a folder.
Grant recognized him.
Daniel Cross.
The lawyer.
"I was going to tell you.""
Daniel looked at Fiona.
"But you were afraid.""
Grant stared.
"What is happening?""
Daniel walked closer.
"Before Fiona met you, she had a daughter.""
Grant looked at Fiona.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I thought I would lose you.""
"Why?""
"Because Lila was born after a mistake.""
Fiona's voice broke.
"A mistake I spent my life regretting.""
Grant looked toward the cabin.
Everything he believed was changing.
Then Daniel handed him a document.
"The truth is in here.""
Grant opened it.
DNA results.
Legal records.
A custody agreement.
Then he saw the name.
The name of Lila's biological father.
His hands started shaking.
Because it was someone connected to Vanessa.
Someone who had been part of their lives from the beginning.
Someone standing only a few feet away.
Grant looked up.
May you like
And whispered:
"Vanessa knew.""
