Chapter 5 - The Sister Who Tried to Become Me
Victoria Hale had been my mother's closest friend for almost twenty years.
When I was a child, she attended every birthday party, every Christmas dinner, and nearly every summer vacation. She was beautiful in an understated way, with auburn hair and a laugh that could fill an entire room.
Then, shortly after Chloe turned eighteen, she disappeared.
My mother told us Victoria had stolen money from a charity.
My father called her a disgrace.
And when I asked whether we should contact her, Margaret warned me never to mention her name again.
Now Grandma Eleanor's letter was telling me that Victoria knew something about our inheritance.
Something important enough to frighten my mother.
"We need to find her," I told Rebecca.
The attorney nodded.
"She left Connecticut years ago. I believe she moved to Massachusetts."
Nathan was already searching his phone.
"I'll handle it."
Adrian glanced at him.
"Use private channels. If Margaret learns we're looking for her, she'll interfere."
I looked toward the portrait leaning against Grandma's study wall.
My grandmother had been dead for almost three years, yet somehow she still understood my family better than I did.
By the time we returned to Adrian's penthouse that evening, the story of my canceled wedding had spread across social media.
I hadn't canceled anything.
But apparently somebody had decided to announce it for me.
My cousin Nathan sent me a screenshot of Chloe's Instagram story.
It showed a photograph of her standing beside a white rose arrangement.
The caption read:
Sometimes the greatest heartbreak is watching someone you love destroy their own happiness. Please respect our family's privacy during this difficult time.
Beneath it was a white heart emoji.
I stared at the screen.
"She's unbelievable."
Adrian looked over my shoulder.
"There's more."
He opened another message.
A society gossip account had published an anonymous tip claiming that Adrian Vale's wedding had been postponed after his fiancée suffered an unfortunate accident.
The article implied that I had become emotionally unstable.
It also mentioned that my younger sister had been helping Adrian through the crisis.
Helping him?
My sister hadn't even spoken to him.
At least, not successfully.
"She's trying to establish a narrative," Adrian said.
"That I'm unstable and she's the perfect replacement?"
"Exactly."
I leaned against the sofa.
"Then maybe we should let her keep talking."
Adrian studied me.
"What are you thinking?"
"People reveal quite a lot when they believe nobody will contradict them."
He smiled faintly.
"You're beginning to sound like your grandmother."
It was the nicest thing anyone had said to me all day.
The following morning, Chloe arrived at Adrian's corporate headquarters wearing an ivory designer suit.
She carried a bouquet of white roses and told reception she had come to discuss a sensitive family matter.
Adrian's assistant, Lauren Pierce, refused to let her upstairs without an appointment.
Chloe became indignant.
"I'm practically family."
Lauren remained professional.
"Mr. Vale is unavailable."
"My sister is his fiancée."
"I'm aware."
"Then you understand why I need to see him."
Lauren smiled.
"That relationship doesn't give you access to his office."
Chloe eventually left the flowers with a handwritten card.
Adrian photographed it before having security return the bouquet.
The card read:
You deserve someone who understands your world. I'm sorry Evelyn has disappointed you. Love, Chloe.
When Adrian showed me the photograph, I stared at it for several seconds.
Then I began laughing.
It hurt my cheek.
But I couldn't stop.
"She's apologizing for my injuries?"
"Apparently."
"Should I send her a thank-you card for destroying my dress?"
"Please don't. My lawyers are already overworked."
For the first time since the attack, I felt something other than fear.
I felt the beginning of freedom.
That afternoon, Rosa arrived carrying a small suitcase.
My parents had removed her belongings from the staff quarters and informed her she would not receive severance.
Adrian immediately offered to help her find housing.
Rosa refused to accept charity.
"I can work," she insisted.
"Then work for me," I said.
She frowned.
"Miss Evelyn, you don't need a housekeeper."
"You're right."
I took her hands.
"I need someone I trust. And I happen to be starting an investigation into a family business that apparently nobody understands."
Rosa considered that.
Then she smiled.
"Your grandmother used to say you were the only Mercer with enough sense to frighten Harold."
"She did?"
"Frequently."
I offered Rosa a paid position as my personal assistant while we sorted through the estate records.
She accepted on one condition.
"No calling me Mrs. Alvarez. You've known me twenty years."
"Deal."
That evening, Nathan called.
He sounded unusually tense.
"I found Victoria."
I sat upright.
"Where?"
"Outside Boston. She runs a small accounting practice."
"Did you speak to her?"
"Yes. And Evelyn, she already knows what happened."
"How?"
"Because someone contacted her yesterday."
My stomach tightened.
"Who?"
"Your mother."
I closed my eyes.
Of course.
"What did she say?"
"Victoria wouldn't tell me over the phone. But she agreed to meet tomorrow morning."
"Then we're going."
Nathan hesitated.
"There's something else."
"What?"
"She asked whether Chloe has recently tried to take your place."
I looked at Adrian.
"Yes."
Nathan inhaled slowly.
"Then Victoria said you should bring the original photograph from Grandma's metal box."
I remembered the photograph.
It showed my mother, Victoria, and Grandma Eleanor standing together outside the estate many years earlier.
There was something odd about it.
Something I hadn't noticed until now.
My mother held an expensive diamond necklace in her hands.
On the back, Grandma had written:
The first thing Margaret stole was never money.
An hour later, my phone received a message from an unknown number.
Evelyn, I know you're hiding with Adrian. You always were selfish. I need to see you before tomorrow.
A photograph followed.
It showed Chloe standing inside the bridal boutique that had created my wedding gown.
She was wearing a dress nearly identical to mine.
Another message appeared.
Some dreams are wasted on the wrong sister.
Then a final photograph arrived.
Chloe standing before a mirror.
Holding a bouquet.
Wearing a replica of my engagement ring.
I looked at Adrian.
He read the messages silently.
Then his phone rang.
His assistant Lauren was calling.
"Mr. Vale, I'm sorry to disturb you this late, but there's been an incident."
"What happened?"
"Miss Chloe Mercer called the wedding venue."
May you like
"And?"
"She told them the bride's name had changed."
