Chapter 5: The Letter in the Attic
Three days before the wedding, Lily wandered into the attic.
She was not supposed to be there. Lucas had told her the attic was dusty and full of old boxes. But Lily was looking for a ribbon her mother used to tie around her hair.
Grace’s things had been stored in a cedar chest beneath the slanted roof.
Lily opened it carefully.
Inside were scarves, letters, photographs, and a small white envelope with Lucas’s name on it.
She recognized her mother’s handwriting from birthday cards Lucas kept in a frame.
For Lucas, when the day comes that Lily needs you to remember.
Lily did not open it at first.
She hugged it.
Then she heard footsteps.
Vanessa climbed into the attic, lifting her dress slightly to avoid dust.
“What are you doing up here?” she asked.
Lily held the envelope behind her back. “Looking for Mommy’s ribbon.”
Vanessa’s eyes moved to Lily’s hands.
“What’s that?”
“Nothing.”
Vanessa stepped closer. “Give it to me.”
“It’s Daddy’s.”
Vanessa’s expression changed. The sweetness vanished so quickly Lily almost did not recognize her.
“I said give it to me.”
Lily began to cry. “No.”
Vanessa snatched the envelope from her hand.
The paper tore slightly.
Lily gasped.
Vanessa stared at the words on the front. For one moment, her face filled with fear.
Then she smiled again.
“I’ll keep this safe for your father.”
“But it’s Mommy’s letter.”
“And after Saturday,” Vanessa said, her voice low, “I will be the woman of this house. You need to learn what that means.”
Lily backed away.
Vanessa folded the envelope and slipped it into her purse.
“Don’t tell your father,” she said. “You don’t want to make him sad on his wedding week, do you?”
Lily shook her head through tears.
Vanessa touched her cheek with cold fingers.
May you like
“Good girl.”
