Chapter 6 - THE PERSON ADRIAN HAD BECOME
Adrian returned home that afternoon.
The house felt different without Vanessa.
Not peaceful.
Empty.
Every room carried evidence of how badly he had misunderstood his own family.
Emma’s blanket on the couch.
Olivia’s backpack beside the stairs.
Clara’s forgotten coffee mug near the sink.
Adrian picked up the mug.
A small crack ran down one side.
He remembered teasing Clara about refusing to throw it away.
She told him it still worked.
He had laughed.
Now the memory made his chest hurt.
Olivia entered the kitchen.
“You okay?”
Adrian looked at his daughter.
“No.”
She nodded.
At fourteen, she knew when an adult was finally telling the truth.
Adrian placed the mug down.
“I owe you an apology.”
Olivia folded her arms.
“For which thing?”
The question landed exactly where it needed to.
“More than one.”
He pulled out a chair.
Olivia sat across from him.
Adrian did not prepare a speech.
He did not try to sound like a father.
He just spoke.
“You warned me about Vanessa.”
“Yes.”
“I dismissed you.”
“Yes.”
“I called you dramatic.”
“Yes.”
“I made you feel like keeping peace with Vanessa mattered more than listening to you.”
Olivia looked down.
“That one too.”
Adrian felt tears in his eyes.
He did not hide them.
“Why didn’t you tell me how bad it had gotten?”
Olivia stared at him.
“I did.”
He nodded immediately.
“You’re right.”
Silence stretched between them.
Then Olivia spoke.
“After Mom died, you got scared every time the house felt unhappy.”
Adrian froze.
Olivia’s mother, Rachel, had died six years earlier after a sudden illness.
Emma was Vanessa’s daughter with Adrian.
For years Adrian believed he had protected Olivia by rebuilding their home.
Maybe he had simply become terrified of conflict.
Olivia continued.
“When Vanessa got upset, you fixed it.”
“When I got upset, you told me to give her time.”
Adrian stared at the table.
“When Clara got upset, you told her Vanessa was stressed.”
Her voice softened.
“You weren’t trying to hurt us.”
“That doesn’t make it okay.”
“No.”
He looked at her.
“How long have you been carrying this?”
Olivia shrugged.
“A while.”
Adrian wanted to hug her.
Instead he asked.
“Can I?”
Olivia hesitated.
Then nodded.
He moved around the table and wrapped his arms around her.
For several seconds she remained stiff.
Then she hugged him back.
Adrian closed his eyes.
“I am so sorry.”
Olivia whispered.
“You have to apologize to Clara too.”
“I did.”
“No.”
She pulled back.
“You said words.”
Adrian frowned.
“What does that mean?”
“It means she doesn’t need you to feel guilty.”
“She needs you to change.”
Adrian stared at his daughter.
She was right.
Again.
His phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“Adrian Cole?”
“Yes.”
“This is Detective Mercer.”
Adrian stepped away from the table.
“What can I do for you?”
“We reviewed the video involving your daughter.”
Adrian’s stomach tightened.
“Okay.”
“We’d like to speak with Vanessa again.”
“Her attorney will probably be there.”
“That’s fine.”
Mercer paused.
“We also received information from your attorney regarding possible financial fraud.”
“Yes.”
“Those two matters may be connected.”
Adrian looked toward Olivia.
“I think they are.”
“We also examined the nursery camera cable.”
“And?”
“It was cut cleanly with a blade.”
Adrian closed his eyes.
Mercer continued.
“Your household staff said Vanessa asked where the security system stored backups.”
Adrian opened his eyes.
“What staff?”
“Your housekeeper.”
Adrian had not even thought to call Rosa.
Mercer said something else.
“She also remembered Vanessa asking whether the upstairs hallway camera had audio.”
Adrian felt a chill.
“When?”
“Three weeks ago.”
The timing was almost perfect.
Three weeks ago Clara had found the bank letter.
“Detective.”
“Yes?”
“I think Vanessa was planning to frame Clara long before yesterday.”
“So do I.”
A knock sounded at the front door.
Adrian looked toward the hallway.
“Someone’s here.”
“Are you expecting anyone?”
“No.”
Adrian walked toward the door.
He checked the camera.
Vanessa stood outside.
She was not alone.
A man in a gray suit stood beside her.
Adrian recognized him as her attorney.
Vanessa looked directly into the doorbell camera.
Then she smiled.
“Adrian.”
May you like
Her voice came through the speaker.
“We need to talk about custody.”
