Chapter 14 - Vanessa Returns the Missing Envelope
Vanessa appeared two months later through her attorney.
She returned one sealed envelope taken from the safe on opening night.
Inside was $20,000.
Emily looked confused.
“That money was already accounted for in your bag.”
Vanessa shook her head.
“This is different.”
The envelope contained cash Margaret had hidden before the party.
Emergency money.
Vanessa had found it days earlier and kept it.
She claimed she intended to use it to leave Los Angeles.
Instead, she returned it.
“Why?”
Vanessa looked at Daniel.
“Because Dad was right.”
Daniel said nothing.
“I kept thinking everyone owed me something.”
She swallowed.
“And then I watched myself on that security video.”
Emily asked:
“Are you sorry you stole, or sorry you got caught?”
Vanessa looked down.
“I don’t know yet.”
It was the first honest answer she had given.
Emily accepted the envelope.
May you like
Not the apology.
That would take longer.
