Chapter 3 - The First Lie
The first public crack in the Vale family’s image appeared at a winter charity gala.
Callie had designed the ballroom for the event. When the host praised her work from the stage, the guests applauded.
Simon smiled for the cameras.
In the car afterward, he accused her of humiliating him.
“You didn’t mention Vale Meridian once,” he said.
“The host asked about the design.”
“You made it sound as if you accomplished everything alone.”
“I did design it alone.”
Simon turned toward her.
Callie recognized the change in his eyes and moved closer to the door.
The driver stared ahead, pretending not to hear.
When they reached the mansion, Simon ordered the staff to leave. The argument continued behind closed doors.
The next morning, Callie called Thomas.
He answered after the first ring.
“Dad…”
Her voice shook.
“What happened?”
“Simon became angry.”
“Did he hurt you?”
Silence.
“Callie.”
“He pushed me.”
Thomas stood so quickly that his chair fell backward.
“Where are you?”
“At the mansion.”
“Lock yourself in a room. I’m calling the police.”
“No!”
The force of her answer surprised them both.
“If the police come, Simon will destroy everything,” she said. “He has friends everywhere. Meredith knows judges, council members, hospital directors. They’ll say I’m unstable.”
“Come to my house.”
“I can’t leave yet.”
“You can always leave.”
“You don’t understand.”
Thomas lowered his voice.
“Then help me understand.”
Callie began crying.
“They used my name on company documents. Simon said if I leave, I’ll be responsible for millions in fraudulent loans. He said I could go to prison.”
Thomas became completely still.
“What exactly did you sign?”
“I don’t know. He brought papers while I was recovering from surgery last year. He said they were insurance forms.”
“Do you have copies?”
“No.”
“Can you get them?”
“Maybe.”
A door opened in the background.
Callie immediately changed her tone.
“Yes, Dad. I’ll bring the pie on Sunday.”
Simon’s voice sounded close to the phone.
“Who are you talking to?”
“My father.”
Thomas heard movement, then Simon came onto the line.
“Thomas, Callie is confused. She slipped near the stairs last night and frightened herself.”
Callie had not mentioned slipping.
Thomas understood the lie immediately.
“Put my daughter back on the phone.”
“She needs rest.”
“Simon.”
“You should stop interfering in our marriage.”
The call ended.
Thomas drove to Hawthorne Mansion, but the gates remained locked. A security guard informed him that Callie was not receiving visitors.
Thomas called the local police and requested a welfare check.
Two officers entered the property and returned twenty minutes later.
They said Callie had confirmed she was safe.
She also denied that Simon had hurt her.
Thomas knew why.
Fear could make a person protect the very system trapping them. Callie was not choosing Simon over her father. She was trying to control the danger with the limited tools she had.
That night, Thomas received a message from the hidden phone.
I’m sorry I lied. I’m not ready. Please don’t give up on me.
Thomas replied:
I will never give up on you. Start collecting everything. Do not confront him. When you are ready, use Bailey.
Callie answered with a single word.
Promise?
Thomas stared at the screen.
May you like
On my life.
---
