Chapter 4: The Woman in the Photograph
Vanessa stared at the photograph as though it had suddenly become dangerous.
The woman standing beside Darius had long brown hair, a slim figure, and a familiar smile.
Vanessa recognized her immediately.
“That's impossible,” she whispered.
Patricia folded her hands.
“Apparently, it isn't.””
Vanessa pushed the photograph away.
“Darius told me she was dead.””
“No. He told you he hadn't seen her in years. Those are two very different things.””
Vanessa stood so abruptly that her chair scraped against the salon floor.
“Why didn't you tell me she was still alive?””
“Because you never asked the right questions.””
Patricia opened the folder and removed another document.
“Her name is Simone Carter. She worked for Danielle before Danielle died. She was also the last person to speak to her before the accident.””
Vanessa looked at the photograph again.
“Why would Darius be meeting her?””
“That's what we need to discover.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“This is getting out of control. The little girl has already ruined everything.””
Patricia's expression hardened.
“Don't call her that.””
Vanessa looked up.
“What?””
“Amara is the reason your plan is becoming complicated. But if you continue underestimating her father, you'll lose much more than your marriage.””
Vanessa grabbed her handbag.
“I need to talk to Nathan.””
“Don't.””
“I said I need to talk to him!””
Patricia leaned forward.
“Nathan has already contacted someone. He's frightened. And frightened men make mistakes.””
Vanessa stormed out.
Meanwhile, at Darius's house, Amara was sitting at the kitchen island with Evelyn.
A bowl of strawberries sat in front of her. She had barely touched them.
Evelyn was gently helping her adjust the knitted hat.
“Too tight, sweetheart?””
“A little.””
Evelyn loosened it.
“There. Better?””
Amara nodded.
Then she looked at her grandmother.
“Grandma, do you think Mommy would still recognize me?””
Evelyn's eyes filled.
“Oh, baby. Your mommy would recognize you anywhere.””
“But my hair…”
Evelyn put down the strawberries.
“Your hair is beautiful, but it isn't what makes you Amara.””
The little girl looked at her reflection in the kitchen window.
“I don't want Vanessa to be angry anymore.””
Evelyn pulled her close.
“You are not responsible for keeping grown-ups happy.””
Before Amara could answer, Darius entered.
He had spent the morning reviewing financial records with Marcus, but his expression softened when he saw his daughter.
“Who's ready for a little adventure?””
Amara looked up.
“Where?””
“Somewhere special.””
He placed a small shopping bag on the counter.
Inside was a collection of soft headscarves, colorful hats, and a beautiful lavender headband decorated with tiny butterflies.
Amara touched the headband.
“It's purple.””
“I remembered your favorite color.””
She smiled faintly.
Then Darius took out his phone.
“I also found someone who can help us care for your scalp while your hair grows back.””
Amara hesitated.
“Will it hurt?””
“No, princess. Nobody is going to touch your hair without asking you first.””
Evelyn smiled at her son.
“That sounds like a promise worth keeping.””
But the moment was interrupted by Marcus calling.
Darius answered.
“Tell me you found something.””
“I did. Nathan Cole has been moving money through three separate accounts. One of those accounts belongs to a company registered under Patricia's name.””
Darius frowned.
“Patricia who?””
“Patricia Moore. She's a corporate attorney. And she has represented Vanessa's family for years.””
Darius walked toward the window.
“What does she have to do with Danielle?””
Marcus paused.
“That's the strange part. Patricia was also involved in settling Danielle's estate.””
Darius felt a chill.
“Danielle's estate was settled three years ago.””
“Exactly. But I found a document showing that someone requested a revision to the beneficiary information shortly before her death.””
Darius gripped his phone.
“Who requested it?””
“Nathan Cole.””
Darius went silent.
“Send me everything.””
“I will. But there's something else. Simone Carter has agreed to meet us.””
Darius closed his eyes.
“Where?””
“Tomorrow morning. Her lawyer's office.””
Darius looked toward Amara.
“Does she know why I want to see her?””
“She said she has something Danielle left behind.””
Darius's heartbeat quickened.
“What?””
Marcus lowered his voice.
“A recording.””
That evening, Vanessa returned to the house.
She entered through the front door carrying two shopping bags and wearing a carefully rehearsed expression of sadness.
Darius was waiting in the living room.
“What are you doing here?””
Vanessa placed her bags down.
“I live here.””
“Not for much longer.””
She looked toward the stairs.
“Where's Amara?””
“Upstairs with my mother.””
Vanessa sighed.
“I want to apologize to her.””
“You can write it down. I'll decide whether she wants to hear it.””
Vanessa approached him.
“Darius, I made a terrible mistake.””
He didn't move.
“I was frustrated. I shouldn't have used the clippers. I know that.””
“You held her head while she begged you to stop.””
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
“I wasn't thinking.””
“You were thinking clearly enough to tell her she wasn't your daughter.””
Vanessa looked down.
Then she reached into her handbag.
“I brought something.””
She removed a small velvet box.
Inside was a diamond bracelet.
“It's for Amara. I thought she might like it.””
Darius stared at the bracelet.
“You think jewelry fixes this?””
“No. But I want to show her I care.””
“You had your chance to show her that.””
Vanessa's expression changed.
“Why are you being so cruel?””
“Cruel?””
He laughed once, without humor.
“You shaved a seven-year-old child's head because she reminded you of her dead mother.””
Vanessa stepped back.
“Don't say that.””
“Why? Is it not true?””
She lowered her voice.
“Darius, there are things you don't know about Danielle.””
His expression sharpened.
“What things?””
Vanessa realized she had said too much.
She quickly shook her head.
“Nothing. Forget it.””
He moved closer.
“No. Finish what you were saying.””
Vanessa picked up her handbag.
“I need time.””
She headed toward the door.
But just before leaving, she turned around.
“Ask Simone Carter what happened the night Danielle died.””
Then she walked out.
Darius stood motionless.
For three years, he had believed Danielle's death was a tragic road accident.
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Now he was beginning to wonder whether the story he'd been told was incomplete.
And somewhere in the house, Amara was holding a photograph of her mother, unaware that the truth about her death was about to change everything.
