Chapter 4: The Price of Silence
“Make the old woman look unstable,” the recording said in my voice.
“Julian will choose me over her.”
Lady Eleanor’s shoulders stiffened.
Julian reached for the phone, but Vanessa closed her fist around it.
“That is not me,” I said.
“It sounds like you,” Julian replied.
“Look at me.
I never said those words.”
“You just ordered my mother out of her own home.”
“I was told she had been threatening the staff and pretending to be part of your family.”
“Who told you that?”
I faced Vanessa.
“She did.”
Vanessa shook her head.
“Now you’re blaming me for your behavior.”
“You sent me photographs of Eleanor arguing with the caterer.”
“I sent photographs.
You supplied the cruelty.”
Lady Eleanor stepped between us.
“Send Rachel the recording.”
“No,” Vanessa said.
“I’m not handing private evidence to a stranger.”
Rachel raised her phone.
“Then play the original file information.”
Vanessa slipped the device into her bag.
“I have nothing more to prove.”
Julian looked at me.
“Clara, until this is examined, you need to leave.”
The room tilted.
“You are sending me away from my own wedding?”
“I’m asking for time.”
“Your mother tested me.
My sister framed me.
You hid that you were once engaged to her—and I am the one who must leave?”
Vanessa touched Julian’s sleeve.
“You’re doing the right thing.”
I knocked her hand away.
“Don’t touch my husband.”
She leaned close enough for only me to hear.
“Sign what I send you tomorrow, or Mother loses her house.”
“What have you done?”
Vanessa’s smile returned.
“Ask her.”
My knees weakened.
Lady Eleanor caught my elbow before I reached the floor.
“Stand up,” she said.
“I don’t want your help.”
“That does not mean you don’t need it.”
She removed her silver jacket and placed it around my shoulders.
Several guests watched as she guided me toward the side doors.
Julian followed.
“Mother, where are you taking her?”
“To the garden cottage.”
“You cannot trust her.”
Lady Eleanor stopped.
“And she cannot trust you.
Yet here we all are.”
The cottage stood beyond the rose garden.
Lady Eleanor unlocked it and switched on one small lamp.
I tore off the jacket.
“Are you enjoying this?”
“No.”
“You disguised yourself to judge me.”
“I wore ordinary clothes and allowed you to believe I had no power.”
“You let me make a fool of myself.”
“You made that choice.”
My hand rose to my mouth.
“I thought you were trying to ruin the wedding.”
“You thought I was poor and troublesome.”
I could not answer.
Lady Eleanor placed a glass of water before me.
“Say it out loud, Clara.”
“I treated you badly because I believed no one important would defend you.”
Her face softened by a fraction.
“That truth costs you pride.
Vanessa’s lie may cost you everything else.”
My phone rang.
Mother’s name glowed on the screen.
“Clara?” Her voice shook.
“Vanessa came by yesterday with papers.”
“What papers?”
“She said they were for refinancing the house.
I signed where she marked.”
Lady Eleanor pulled out a chair.
“Ask whether a witness was present.”
“Mother, did someone witness your signature?”
“A man named Martin.
He said he worked for the bank.”
Rachel, who had followed us from the ballroom, went pale.
“Martin Cole?” she asked.
Mother heard her.
“Yes.
That was the name.”
Rachel gripped the edge of the table.
“He approved the transfer requests.”
A message appeared on my phone before I could speak.
May you like
It contained a photograph of Mother’s signed deed and six words from Vanessa:
SIGN MY CONFESSION, OR SHE LOSES EVERYTHING.
