Chapter 2: The Phone in the White Purse

For a moment, nobody moved.

The room was so quiet that I could hear the faint music drifting up from the ballroom.

I shifted Lily onto my hip and looked at Vanessa.

“Another phone?””

She laughed too quickly.

“Michael, she’s five years old. Children invent things when they’re upset.””

Lily pressed her face against my shoulder.

“I’m not making it up, Daddy.””

“I know, sweetheart.””

Vanessa crossed her arms, careful not to disturb the lace bodice of her wedding dress.

“She’s been jealous of me for months. You know that. She doesn’t want you to have another woman in your life.””

I remembered Lily bringing Vanessa breakfast in bed on her birthday. I remembered the little paper heart she’d taped to Vanessa’s mirror.

I’d thought their relationship was beautiful.

Now I wondered how much of it had been performed for my benefit.

I pointed toward the white designer purse resting on the makeup table.

“Let me see it.””

Vanessa immediately stepped in front of it.

“No.””

The single word landed like a confession.

I stared at her.

“If it’s nothing, why won’t you show me?””

“Because it’s my personal property!””

“Then take it out and show me the phone.””

She lifted her chin.

“You have no right to search my belongings.””

“You’re right,” I said.

“I don’t. But I have every right to end this wedding, and I’m doing that now.””

I turned toward the door.

Vanessa hurried after me.

“Michael, wait!””

Lily suddenly tightened her arms around my neck.

“She talks to him when you’re at work.””

I stopped.

Vanessa’s mouth opened, but no words came out.

I turned slowly.

“Who?””

Lily swallowed.

“A man.””

Vanessa shook her head violently.

“She’s confused. Michael, please, don’t do this.””

Lily continued, her voice small but determined.

“She goes into the laundry room and locks the door. She says you don’t understand her. She says she only has to wait until the wedding.””

“Wait for what?”” I asked.

Vanessa lunged toward Lily.

“That is enough!””

I stepped backward, putting my body between them.

“Don’t you come near her.””

Her hands froze in the air.

For the first time since I had known her, Vanessa seemed unable to find the right words.

I took out my phone.

“I’m calling estate security. They’ll escort you away from my daughter and the wedding party.””

She looked at my phone, then at the purse.

“No, Michael. Please. Don’t call anyone.””

“Why?””

“Because you’ll regret this.””

The threat was quiet. Almost gentle.

It chilled me more than her shouting had.

Before I could respond, a phone began ringing inside the purse.

Vanessa jerked toward the table.

I moved faster.

The purse toppled to the floor, spilling lipstick, tissues, a compact mirror, and a small velvet jewelry box across the carpet.

A black smartphone slid beneath the vanity chair.

The ringing stopped.

Then the screen lit up.

A message appeared in the notification preview.

*JAMES: Did Michael sign the papers yet? Once you’re married, we can take the house and get access to Lily’s trust fund.*

My hands went cold.

James.

My older brother.

The man who had stood beside me at Emily’s funeral. The man who had helped me carry Lily into the house when she was too exhausted to walk. The man who had insisted on giving the best man’s speech at my wedding.

For several seconds, I couldn’t even read the message a second time.

Vanessa dropped to her knees and snatched at the phone.

“Give me that!””

I caught her wrist before she could reach it.

“Don’t touch it.””

She stared at my hand.

“You’re hurting me!””

I released her immediately, horrified by how naturally she had tried to turn the situation around.

Then I picked up the phone.

Another message appeared.

*JAMES: I need confirmation before the ceremony. The attorney is waiting.*

I looked at Vanessa.

“What papers?””

She began crying again.

“Michael, I can explain.””

“What papers?””

“It’s not what it looks like.””

“Then explain it.””

She pressed a hand to her chest.

“James was helping me understand the family finances. You told me you wanted me involved in your future.””

“Involved in my future?”” I repeated.

“You were planning to take my house?””

“Our house,” she snapped.

The words escaped before she could stop herself.

Silence filled the room.

I felt Lily’s small hand touch my cheek.

“Daddy?””

I looked at her.

“Yes, baby?””

“Uncle James told her that you would sign anything if she cried.””

My stomach twisted.

“What else did he tell her?””

Lily glanced toward Vanessa, then whispered into my ear.

“He said after the wedding, she could make you put your name on papers because you wouldn’t want to upset your new wife.””

Vanessa rose unsteadily to her feet.