Chapter 6 - The Cost of Finally Listening
Vesper House Studio was real.
That surprised Daniel.
Vanessa had registered the company eight months earlier because she wanted to start an interior-staging business.
She had once worked for a residential designer before marrying Daniel.
Daniel knew she missed having something that belonged to her.
What he had not known was that she had spent almost a year secretly trying to build it.
“Why hide it?”
Vanessa stared at the bank statements.
“Because you would’ve told me it was too risky.”
“You stole from my mother.”
“I borrowed.”
“She didn't agree.”
“I was putting it back.”
Daniel almost laughed.
“With what?”
Vanessa’s jaw tightened.
“A contract I was supposed to land.”
“What contract?”
“A model-home project.”
“Supposed to?”
“I lost it.”
Daniel sat opposite her.
“How much?”
Vanessa looked away.
“Twenty-six thousand from the care account.”
“Only that?”
She did not answer.
Daniel’s stomach sank.
“How much total?”
“Forty-one.”
He stared at her.
The rest had come from their joint savings.
Money Daniel had assumed was still there.
“Why Grace?”
Vanessa’s expression changed.
“I didn’t plan the dinner.”
Daniel leaned forward.
“You had stolen jewelry sitting in my mother’s suitcase.”
“I panicked.”
“That isn't panic. That's preparation.”
“She kept threatening to tell you.”
“Because you were stealing.”
Vanessa stood.
“I was going to repay it.”
“So you decided to make Grace look like a thief?”
Vanessa’s voice rose.
“I needed time.”
Margaret appeared in the doorway in her wheelchair.
Lisa stood behind her.
Vanessa saw them and lowered her voice.
Daniel noticed.
Even now she cared about appearances.
He stood.
“You're leaving tonight.”
Vanessa stared at him.
“This is my home too.”
“No. This house belongs to Mom.”
That was true.
Margaret had asked Daniel’s family to move in after her stroke.
Vanessa looked at Margaret.
Margaret pointed toward the front door.
For once, no interpretation was required.
Vanessa’s face hardened.
“You’re choosing a housekeeper over your wife.”
Daniel shook his head.
“I’m choosing the people you tried to make me stop believing.”
Vanessa packed a suitcase.
Before leaving, she stopped beside Lisa.
Lisa moved behind Daniel.
Vanessa’s face changed.
That reaction hurt her more than anything Daniel could have said.
She picked up her bag.
At the door she turned.
“You think Grace is innocent because she found my transfers.”
Daniel frowned.
Vanessa wiped her eyes.
“Ask her why your mother has been paying her privately.”
Then she walked out.
Daniel watched the door close.
It was exactly the kind of accusation Vanessa would use to create doubt.
And after everything she had done, Daniel wanted to dismiss it.
May you like
But he had already learned what happened when he chose the easiest explanation.
So he called Grace.
