CHAPTER 2 — The Truth Between the Pages
CHAPTER 2 — The Truth Between the Pages
Damian carefully cleaned the scrapbook and carried it to his office.
Some pages were stained.
Others were torn.
But every page carried Lily's love.
As he turned them, his eyes grew wet.
There were handwritten notes.
Pictures she had secretly collected.
Drawings of their happiest moments.
One page stopped him cold.
It showed a crayon drawing of their family.
Damian.
Lily.
And Vanessa standing far away.
Underneath, Lily had written:
"I hope someday she likes me."
His chest tightened.
For months he had ignored small signs.
The way Lily became quiet around Vanessa.
The way she flinched when Vanessa entered a room.
The way her smile disappeared whenever they were alone together.
Suddenly, the missing pieces fit together.
The next morning, Damian checked the security cameras.
The footage showed everything.
Vanessa entering Lily's room.
Opening the gift.
Taking it downstairs.
Throwing it away.
His jaw clenched.
That evening, Vanessa returned home to find the entire family gathered in the living room.
Damian sat quietly with the scrapbook in his lap.
Her face immediately lost color.
"You found it."
"I did."
The room fell silent.
"Lily spent weeks making this."
Vanessa tried to laugh.
"It was just a childish craft."
"No."
Damian stood slowly.
"It was love."
Vanessa's confidence began to crack.
"It wasn't important."
Damian opened the scrapbook to the final page.
May you like
Lily's handwritten message stared back at them.
And for the first time, Vanessa looked ashamed.
