Not Palmcrest.
1018 Words
The black Aston Martin DB11 Volante glided through the iron gates of Palmcrest Estate, its engine purring before cutting off at the foot of the villa. Before the car fully settled, the door flew open.
Vanessa was already out, her heels biting into the gravel as she headed straight for the entrance.
“Good afternoon, Miss Vanessa.” Hunter inclined his head, respectful and measured.
She passed him without slowing, her shoulder brushing the air beside him, the villa doors swinging wide as she disappeared inside.
Moments later, a white Maybach rolled through the gates, its presence heavy and deliberate.
Adeline remained frozen beside the Aston Martin, fingers curled tight against her dress, watching the villa as though bracing for impact.
The Maybach door opened sharply.
William stepped out, his expression dark, his strides long and urgent as he followed after Vanessa.
Vanessa stormed into her room, yanked open her closet and began hurling her clothes onto the bed.
“Vanessa, what are you doing?” William asked, panic edging his voice as he walked into her wide opened room.
Vanessa paused. Turned her attention to her father, drew her hands to her chest and interlocked her fingers tightly, as though she was begging to be set free.
“I am done,” she said in a trembling whisper. “I am exhausted. I am losing my mind. This family has been nothing but vicious to me.”
Strands of her hair cast soft shadows over her flushed face from the light emanating through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Her emotions failed her as tears streaked down her pale cheeks betraying her resolve not to show weakness in front of the people she had once called family.
“How can you accept that?” Vanessa continued. “How could you let this happen—barely three months after Henry and I broke up?”
“But you said it yourself, Vanessa,” William replied. His voice was flat.“You cheated on the man, he moved on.”
“How can you say this? Her voice hardened. ”Moved on? Moving on to what? With who? Moving on with my own sister? Susie can marry Henry because we broke up, and you think that’s okay?”
Vanessa and William’s attention turned as Josephine walked into the room.
“Why are you wasting time with this silly girl?” Josephine scoffed.”Why are you even talking to her? You want to pack out? Then leave! Nobody will miss you !”
“Can you give me a moment with my daugh-“
“Darling please,” Josephine cut in.”please lf she wants to pack out, then let her go . I mean what is this nonsense?”
“Honey, can you st-“
“Oh honey! Josephine interrupted again, her chest heaving with fury.”She knows she ruined her chances of getting married to one of the finest bachelors in Marbleton. She has no one else but herself to blame for that!”
Vanessa had had enough. A sharp glint of fury flashed in her eyes.
“That’s why you went to sell your daughter to him right?”
“Watch your mouth, you rat!” Josephine snapped.
“You, watch your mouth!” Vanessa shot back.
“What?” Josephine muttered in disbelief.
“ I know you instigated this! I know you-“
“Please stop!” William bellowed, his brows tightening.
“Don’t tell me to stop!” Vanessa thundered almost immediately, pointing at Josephine.”Tell her to stop!”
“I will slap you if you don-“
Josephine was cut off as William lunged forward, stopping her as she charged at Vanessa.
“Leave me alone.” Josephine hissed, struggling against William’s grip.” You think everybody is like your mother? Who taught you from childhood to be a slut!”
“Josephine! Enough!” William yelled.
“Warn her! Warn her!” Josephine snapped as she stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
“What’s wrong with both of you? William asked softly.
“She just spoke about your wife—my mother—like that,and you said nothing?” Vanessa whispered, her voice trembling.
“What was I meant to say?“ William replied hoarsely.
“Daddy—Excuse me.” Vanessa opened her bedroom door and gestured for William to leave.Her voice flat.
“But Vanessa, I didn’t mean-“
“Daddy, please!” She cut him off sharply, the words escaping before she could stop them.”Daddy, I just want to be left alone.”
She pressed her back against her bedroom door, slowly crouched down, running her fingers through her blonde hair which draped over her shoulders as it slipped free from the loose ponytail it was in.
Her eyes, red- rimmed, glistening with tears lifted to meet her mother’s eyes.
There it was, her mother’s portrait, smiling down at her, just as she had when she was seven, after winning her first cheerleading championship.
….
“Henry is getting married to Susie.” Vanessa said, her voice calm.
The Aston Martin lurched to a sudden halt. Seat belts snapped tight, jerking them forward as tires screeched against the asphalt.
Susie’s breath caught. She turned slowly, her gaze snapping to Vanessa.
“What?”
Vanessa exhaled a brittle laugh. “The engagement party was at the restaurant.”
Susie studied Vanessa’s face.
She had seen that look before—years ago, standing at the back of the chapel when Vanessa’s father married Josephine Miller. The same stillness. The same hollow calm that came after the damage was already done.
That day, Vanessa hadn’t cried.
This was not hurt.This was something colder.
Susie’s voice came out low. “You’re not angry.”
Vanessa didn’t look at her. “Anger burns out.”
“So what is this?” Susie asked.
Vanessa’s lips curved, not quite a smile. “Resolve.”
Susie’s fingers tightened. “And what happens now?”
“Now,” she said softly, “they remember who they tried to erase.”
- Writer
