Chapter 2 - THE FIRST LIE
I locked the guest room door behind us even though Vanessa was still outside.
Lily sat on the edge of the bed wrapped in a towel, staring at her bare feet.
"Sweetheart, look at me."
She did, but only for a second.
"How long has this been happening?"
"What part?"
The question made my stomach drop.
"Any part."
Her mouth tightened.
"Vanessa says I make things sound worse than they are."
"I'm asking what you think."
Lily twisted the towel in both hands. "She says I cry to get attention."
I wanted to run downstairs and demand answers. Instead, I forced myself to stay in the room.
"Did she tie your wrists today?"
"Tasha did. Vanessa told her to."
"Who poured the water?"
"Vanessa."
"Why?"
"Because I wouldn't say sorry."
"For what?"
Lily finally looked at me.
"For telling Mrs. Hall that I don't like being home when you're gone."
Mrs. Hall was Lily's school counselor.
I felt cold.
"You told your counselor that?"
She nodded.
"When?"
"Last month."
I had been in Seattle last month. Vanessa had texted me pictures of Lily at ballet, smiling.
"Why didn't Mrs. Hall call me?"
Lily swallowed.
"She did."
I stared at her.
"No, she didn't."
"Vanessa answered your phone. She said you were in a meeting."
I remembered that day. My phone had been missing for almost an hour at lunch. Vanessa said she had accidentally packed it in her tote.
Someone knocked hard on the door.
"Daniel," Vanessa called. "We need to talk before you frighten her even more."
Lily moved closer to me.
I pulled out my phone and searched my deleted calls.
There was no record from the school.
Then Lily whispered, "Check blocked numbers."
I looked at her.
"Why?"
May you like
She stared at the door.
"Because Vanessa showed me where she put Mrs. Hall."
