Chapter 2: The Video Nobody Was Supposed to See
I stared at Daniel's phone.
The video was only thirty-eight seconds long.
It showed the hotel pool area from an angle near the outdoor bar. Several guests were visible, including Vanessa, who stood with two bridesmaids near a table covered in champagne glasses.
I recognized the white dress immediately.
She was laughing.
One of the bridesmaids, a tall brunette named Paige, leaned closer.
The audio was faint, but Daniel increased the volume.
Vanessa's voice came through clearly.
“Watch this. It'll be hilarious.””
Paige glanced toward the pool.
“Vanessa, seriously? She's still injured.””
Vanessa waved her hand dismissively.
“She's been out of that sling for weeks.””
“That's not what I mean. She can't even lift that arm properly.””
Vanessa took a sip of champagne.
“Exactly. Imagine her face when she realizes she can't get out.””
I stopped breathing.
Daniel paused the video.
“That's when I started paying attention.””
I looked at him.
“You knew?””
“I suspected she was planning something. I didn't know exactly what.””
“Why didn't you stop her?””
The question came out sharper than I intended.
Daniel didn't defend himself.
“You're right. I should have confronted her immediately. I thought she was talking about some stupid prank, and I was watching for what she'd do next.””
He looked down at his phone.
“I never imagined she'd actually push you into the deep end.””
I swallowed.
“What happened after that?””
Daniel restarted the recording.
The camera showed Vanessa walking toward the pool. She looked over her shoulder, checked where several guests were standing, and then smiled at Paige.
The recording ended just before she reached me.
My hands began to shake.
“She planned it.””
Daniel nodded.
“I think so.””
I looked toward the window.
Outside, the hospital parking lot was almost empty. A few headlights moved through the darkness, and the fluorescent lights reflected against the glass.
My sister had known.
She had known exactly what my arm could and couldn't do.
And she had made a joke out of it.
“Why?”” I whispered.
Daniel was quiet for a moment.
“That's something I've been trying to understand.””
He leaned forward.
“Emily, I want you to know something. The wedding isn't happening tomorrow unless I can trust the person I'm marrying.””
I turned toward him.
“Don't cancel your wedding because of me.””
“I'm not doing this because of you.””
He looked directly into my eyes.
“I'm doing it because of what Vanessa showed me about herself.””
My phone vibrated again.
This time, it was our mother.
Emily, I heard there was an incident. Vanessa says you slipped. Please don't make this bigger than it needs to be.
I stared at the message.
Then another arrived.
Tomorrow is a very important day. We need everyone to be supportive.
I felt something inside me go cold.
“She told Mom I slipped.””
Daniel's expression hardened.
“Of course she did.””
I showed him the messages.
He read them without saying anything.
Then he stood.
“I'll be back.””
“Where are you going?””
“To make sure the truth doesn't disappear before morning.””
The following morning, I woke to sunlight filtering through the hospital curtains.
My shoulder was wrapped, and the doctor had advised me to avoid using the arm until my specialist could assess the aggravated injury.
Olivia was asleep in the visitor's chair.
My phone had seventeen missed calls.
Twelve were from Vanessa.
Four were from Mom.
One was from an unknown number.
I opened the messages.
Vanessa:
Daniel is acting insane.
He hasn't answered me all night.
You need to fix this.
I'm serious, Emily.
Then came a message from Mom.
Your sister is devastated. You know how much she's been looking forward to this wedding.
I almost laughed.
Devastated.
That was the word they had chosen.
Not concerned.
Not frightened.
Not sorry.
Devastated.
I was still lying in a hospital bed, and somehow my sister was the victim.
At 8:15 a.m., Olivia woke up.
“Morning. How are you feeling?””
“Like I got hit by a truck.””
She smiled sadly.
“That's probably because you were practically thrown into one.””
I showed her the messages.
She read them, then shook her head.
“Don't respond.””
“I think I need to.””
“Why?””
“Because if I don't, they'll tell everyone I ruined the wedding.””
Olivia leaned forward.
“Emily, you don't owe anyone an explanation for getting hurt.””
Before I could answer, someone knocked.
Our mother walked in.
Patricia wore a pale blue dress and carried a designer handbag. Her hair was perfectly styled, and she had the same tight expression she always wore when she was preparing to lecture me.
“Emily.””
“Mom.””
She glanced at the bandage around my shoulder.
“Oh, sweetheart. What a mess.””
I waited.
She sighed.
“Vanessa has been crying all morning.””
I blinked.
“I'm sorry to hear that.””
Mom looked surprised.
“She feels terrible about what happened.””
“Does she?””
“She says she was only teasing you.””
I looked at Olivia.
She stared back at me, clearly trying not to interrupt.
Mom pulled a chair closer.
“Listen, honey. I know you've been through a lot since the accident. But you have to understand that Vanessa has been under enormous stress.””
I stared at her.
“Because of the wedding?””
“Of course. Planning everything, dealing with vendors, trying to make Daniel's family happy. It's been exhausting.””
“Mom, she pushed me into a pool.””
“Accidentally.””
“No.””
Mom's lips tightened.
“Emily, don't be difficult.””
I felt my heartbeat quicken.
“Did she tell you she pushed me with both hands?””
Mom looked away.
“She said you were standing too close to the edge.””
“Did she tell you she knew I couldn't swim properly?””
Silence.
I leaned back against the pillow.
“She knew.””
Mom exhaled sharply.
“Your sister would never intentionally hurt you.””
I almost told her about the video.
Instead, I asked one question.
“Would you believe me if I told you she planned it?””
Mom frowned.
“Don't be ridiculous.””
I nodded slowly.
That was my answer.
She stood and adjusted her handbag.
“Just think about tomorrow. Vanessa needs you there. You're her maid of honor.””
I looked down at my injured arm.
“I can't even put on a dress by myself.””
“I'm sure someone can help you.””
Then she left.
Olivia waited until the door closed.
“I'm going to say something, and I hope you hear it.””
“What?””
“You have spent your entire life trying to make people understand that hurting you isn't funny.””
My throat tightened.
“Maybe they're right. Maybe I'm too sensitive.””
Olivia shook her head.
“No. You're just finally noticing how much they expect you to tolerate.””
At noon, Daniel called.
“Emily, are you alone?””
“Olivia's here.””
“Good. I need you to hear something.””
His voice sounded different.
More serious.
“Vanessa came to the hotel this morning. She demanded that I go through with the wedding.””
“And?””
“I told her I wasn't making any decisions until I understood why she did what she did.””
I closed my eyes.
“What did she say?””
“She said you were jealous.””
I frowned.
“Jealous of what?””
“Her wedding. Her relationship. Her life.””
I let out a bitter laugh.
“That's ridiculous.””
“I know.””
Daniel paused.
“Then she said something else.””
“What?””
“She said you had always been the family problem.””
My stomach twisted.
Daniel continued.
“And when I asked her what she meant, she told me something I think you need to know.””
I gripped the phone with my left hand.
“What?””
“She said your accident was the perfect excuse to get attention.””
The room seemed to shrink around me.
I could hear Olivia breathing beside the bed.
Daniel's voice lowered.
“Emily, I don't think Vanessa has been telling me the truth about you.””
I swallowed.
“What do you mean?””
“She has been showing me messages, emails, and conversations for months. Things she claimed you said about me. Things she said you did to her.””
My heart began pounding.
“Daniel, I never said anything about you.””
“I know that now.””
He paused.
“Because I found something on her laptop.””
“What?””
“A folder with your name on it.””
I sat completely still.
Daniel continued.
“And Emily, there's a document in there that was created two weeks before your accident.””
“What does it say?””
May you like
His next words made my stomach drop.
“It's a plan to make sure you never get a place in my life.””
