Ryan Saw Vanessa Holding Their Crying Daughter in the Kitchen — Then Emma Pointed at the Security Camera
Chapter 8 — Why Vanessa Panicked
Late that night, Ryan and Vanessa sat alone at the kitchen table.
Emma was asleep upstairs.
Ryan looked toward the camera mounted above the doorway.
“You still haven’t explained why you grabbed her.”
Vanessa looked down.
“I panicked.”
“That’s not an excuse.”
“I know.”
She wiped her eyes.
“When Emma said Liam told her Dalton personally took his family’s card, I realized she knew more than I thought.”
“So?”
“I was scared she’d confront him.”
Ryan shook his head.
“Then you explain that calmly.”
“I know.”
Vanessa’s voice broke.
“She kept saying she was going to tell you everything. I thought if more people knew about the backpack before Linda went to police, Dalton might find out where it was.”
“I’m her father, Vanessa.”
“I know.”
“You made her afraid to speak.”
Vanessa nodded.
“I was wrong.”
Ryan looked toward the security video still paused on his phone.
The image showed Vanessa gripping Emma while the girl cried.
There was no explanation that made that moment look better.
“Tomorrow,” Ryan said, “you apologize to her.”
“I will.”
“And no more telling Emma to keep adult problems secret from me.”
Vanessa nodded again.
“Never.”
Ryan’s expression softened slightly.
“You were trying to help Linda.”
Vanessa looked up.
“Yes.”
“That part wasn’t wrong.”
He pointed toward the paused recording.
“This part was.”
Vanessa looked at the image.
“I know.”
