Chapter 11 - Chapter 11: The Secret in the Gown
Lucas looked at Lily.“What letter, sweetheart?”Lily clung to Eleanor’s hand. “Mommy wrote it for you. I found it in the attic. Vanessa took it.”Every eye turned to Vanessa.“That’s ridiculous,” Vanessa said.Lucas stepped closer. “Then you won’t mind showing me.”Vanessa backed away. “This is humiliating.”“Locking my daughter in a bathroom was humiliating.”Vanessa’s father, Richard Hart, moved forward. “Lucas, let’s speak privately. Emotions are high.”“No,” Lucas said. “Everything happens here now.”Eleanor looked at Vanessa’s maid of honor. “Help her remove whatever is hidden in that dress.”Vanessa snapped, “Don’t touch me.”That was enough.Lucas did not need force. He only needed truth.“Vanessa,” he said, “if there is nothing in your dress, prove it.”Her face crumpled for half a second.The maid of honor, pale and shaking, whispered, “Vanessa… I saw you sew something into the inner sash this morning.”Vanessa turned on her. “Shut up.”The guests gasped.Lucas closed his eyes briefly.The maid of honor reached toward the side of the gown, where a line of pearls covered a hidden pocket. With trembling fingers, she opened it.Inside was a folded envelope.Lucas knew Grace’s handwriting before he touched it.For Lucas, when the day comes that Lily needs you to remember.His hands shook.Vanessa whispered, “I was going to give it to you later.”Lucas opened the envelope.The hall was so silent the paper sounded loud.He began to read.
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