Chapter 9 - THE HOUSE THAT WASN’T THERE
Daniel drove three hours to Richmond.
He hadn’t been to Claire’s mother’s house since the funeral.
He remembered yellow siding.
White porch.
A crooked maple tree.
Claire’s mother growing tomatoes in buckets because the soil was terrible.
Daniel turned onto the street.
Then hit the brakes.
The house was blue.
A swing set sat in the yard.
A little boy rode a scooter across the driveway.
Daniel parked.
For several minutes, he couldn’t move.
The house existed.
But it was no longer Claire’s.
A man came outside.
“Can I help you?”
Daniel stepped out.
“Sorry. I used to know the owner.”
“Claire?”
Daniel looked surprised.
“You know her?”
“She sold it to us.”
The man smiled.
“Nice lady.”
Daniel nodded.
“Yeah.”
“She was in a hurry.”
“When?”
“Late February.”
Two weeks before Daniel’s transplant.
Daniel looked at the porch.
“Did she say why?”
The man shook his head.
“Just said she needed a fast close.”
His wife appeared at the door holding a baby.
Daniel suddenly couldn’t breathe.
This family lived inside the memories Claire had sold for him.
He thanked the man and walked back to his car.
Inside, he called Rachel.
She answered.
“If you’re calling to ask where Claire is, don’t.”
“I’m standing outside her mother’s house.”
Silence.
“I know everything.”
Rachel cursed softly.
“She didn’t want you to.”
“I need to see her.”
“No.”
“Rachel.”
“She spent years saving your life. She does not owe you another conversation.”
“I’m not asking her to come back.”
“Good.”
“I need to apologize.”
“So apologize to a mirror.”
Daniel squeezed the steering wheel.
“I deserve that.”
“Yes.”
“Please.”
Rachel was silent for several seconds.
Then she said, “She’s working two jobs because of the loan.”
Daniel shut his eyes.
“She’s doing what?”
“Bookkeeping during the day. Waitressing four nights a week.”
“I can pay it.”
Rachel laughed.
“You really don’t understand her.”
“I can sell the apartment.”
“She doesn’t want your money.”
“It’s not my money. It’s hers.”
“She doesn’t want anything from you.”
Daniel’s voice cracked.
“Rachel, please.”
“No.”
She hung up.
Daniel sat there until dark.
That night he returned to the apartment.
Vanessa was waiting.
Her suitcase sat by the door.
“You found out?”
Daniel nodded.
“What did Claire do?”
He told her.
At first, Vanessa said nothing.
Then she sat down.
“Oh my God.”
Daniel stared at the floor.
“She sold her mom’s house.”
Vanessa looked sick.
“She paid for your transplant?”
“Yes.”
“And you didn’t know?”
“No.”
Vanessa wiped her face.
Daniel looked at her.
“Why are you crying?”
“Because I’m not stupid.”
She stood.
“I know what this makes me.”
“You didn’t know.”
“I knew you were married.”
“I lied to you.”
“And I still stayed.”
She picked up her suitcase.
“Where are you going?”
“Home.”
“Vanessa.”
She stopped.
“I thought Claire was some cold wife who gave up on you when you got sick.”
Daniel looked down.
“That’s what you told me.”
“I know.”
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“You made her the villain so I could feel better about being the other woman.”
Daniel said nothing.
Vanessa opened the door.
Then looked back.
“You want to know the worst part?”
He raised his eyes.
“She saved your life.”
Her voice shook.
“And you needed her to be the bad guy anyway.”
The door closed.
Daniel stood alone.
A few minutes later, his phone buzzed.
A text from Rachel.
He expected another warning.
Instead, there was an address.
May you like
Below it, three words.
Don’t hurt her.
