Chapter 2 - The Man at the DoorThe handle stopped moving.
Nobody breathed.
Lily appeared in the hallway, clutching her stuffed rabbit.
“Daddy?”
I turned immediately.
“Go to your room.”
“Why?”
“Lily, please.”
Vanessa rushed toward her.
“Come with Mommy.”
Lily looked past her at Nora.
The two girls stared at each other.
Nora looked terrified.
Lily looked confused.
Then Lily whispered, “That’s my friend.”
Vanessa shut her eyes.
A knock sounded at the front door.
Three slow taps.
Then silence.
I motioned for Vanessa to stay with the girls.
I went toward the window and pulled the curtain back by an inch.
A black SUV sat at the curb.
I couldn’t see the driver.
My phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
I answered without speaking.
A man said, “You’re Ryan?”
I felt my pulse jump.
“Who is this?”
“You have something that belongs to me.”
I looked toward Nora.
The room seemed to shrink around me.
“You have the wrong house.”
A quiet laugh came through the phone.
“No. I really don’t.”
The call ended.
Vanessa had gone pale.
“Who was it?”
I lowered the phone.
“Nora’s father.”
She shook her head.
“No.”
“You know his voice?”
“No.”
“Then how do you know?”
She looked at the front door.
“Because he said the same thing to me three weeks ago.”
The knock came again.
This time louder.
I walked into the entryway.
“Ryan,” Vanessa said.
I turned.
“Don't open it.”
“I’m not planning to.”
The man outside spoke through the door.
“Vanessa, I know she’s in there.”
Nora screamed.
She ran toward the bedroom.
I grabbed her before she could reach the wall.
“It’s okay.”
“No! No, no, no!”
She fought me so hard I nearly lost my balance.
“He’ll take me!”
“He’s not taking you.”
Vanessa came closer.
“Nora, sweetheart, look at me.”
Nora turned toward her.
“You said he wouldn't find us.”
Vanessa's face crumpled.
“I know.”
“You promised.”
“I know.”
I stared at my wife.
“You brought her here three weeks ago?”
Vanessa nodded.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“I thought I could fix it before you ever knew.”
“Fix what?”
The man outside pounded on the door.
“You don’t get to keep my daughter!”
I stepped closer to the door.
“She doesn't want to go with you.”
His voice turned cold.
“That isn't your decision.”
“Then whose is it?”
“Her mother’s.”
I glanced at Vanessa.
The silence between us suddenly felt heavier than the door.
The man continued.
“You think you know what she did?”
Vanessa whispered, “Don't listen.”
“You think Vanessa is protecting her?”
My wife grabbed my wrist.
“Ryan, don't.”
The man laughed.
“She didn't tell you who I am, did she?”
I looked at Vanessa.
“Who is he?”
She stared at the floor.
The man answered for her.
“Ask your wife what happened in the hospital.”
Then I heard the SUV engine start.
I yanked the curtain aside.
The vehicle pulled away.
For several seconds, I stood there staring after it.
Behind me, Lily began crying.
Vanessa gathered her into her arms.
Nora was still pressed against the bedroom wall.
I walked toward Vanessa.
“What happened in the hospital?”
She looked up.
“I can't tell you here.”
“Why?”
“Because there are things you don't know about me.”
I laughed once, without humor.
“A child was hiding in our wall.”
“I know.”
“She hadn't eaten properly.”
“I know.”
“Her father just threatened us.”
“I know.”
“And you're still saying there are things I don't know?”
Vanessa looked at Nora.
Then she said, “I was nineteen when Nora was born.”
I stared at her.
“What?”
“Nora is my daughter.”
The room went silent.
Even Lily stopped crying.
I looked at the little girl.
Then back at my wife.
“That’s impossible.”
Vanessa shook her head.
“She is yours?”
“No.”
Her voice broke.
“She is mine.”
I felt as if someone had punched me.
“You told me you never had a child.”
“I lied.”
“Why?”
“Because I was trying to survive.”
Nora spoke from the wall.
“Mommy said Daddy couldn't know I was alive.”
Vanessa looked at her sharply.
“Not now.”
I slowly turned toward Nora.
“Your dad doesn't know you're here?”
Nora shook her head.
“He knows.”
A chill ran across my skin.
“Then why did he leave?”
Nora whispered, “Because he wanted me to tell him where the papers are.”
“What papers?”
She looked at Vanessa.
May you like
Vanessa closed her eyes.
And I knew there was still a part of this story my wife had not told me.
Related Stories