The ring had belonged to Claire's mother. It was an antique diamond surrounded by small sapphires, passed down through three generations before becoming Claire's engagement ring. After Claire died, James placed it inside a velvet box and kept it in his bedroom safe. When Vanessa suggested using a family heirloom for their wedding, he hesitated. She insisted it would symbolize Claire's blessing and help Lily accept their new family. Eventually, James allowed a jeweler to adjust the setting.
Now Edward Lawson's attorney was asking about that exact ring.
James photographed the jewelry receipt and sent it through Rebecca. Within an hour, the attorney clarified the confusion. Edward hadn't recognized Claire's ring itself. He recognized the distinctive jeweler's design because Natalie had once attempted to persuade him to replace his deceased wife's engagement ring with a similar custom setting. In Edward's case, the original heirloom vanished after the engagement ended.
The discovery didn't prove Vanessa stole anything from James. But it raised another concern.
James immediately checked the bedroom safe.
Claire's remaining jewelry was gone.
So were several collectible watches, old family coins, and a small envelope containing letters she'd written to Lily before her final hospitalization.
The missing money frightened James.
The missing letters devastated him.
Claire had known her illness was progressing. During her final months, she wrote messages for Lily's birthdays, graduation, and wedding day, hoping her daughter would continue hearing her mother's voice as she grew older. James had preserved them carefully, promising never to open them early.
He sat on the bedroom floor, staring at the empty shelf.
Rebecca found him there.
"James?"
He looked up.
"She took Claire's letters."
His sister knelt beside him.
"We don't know who removed them."
"Vanessa knew where they were."
Rebecca placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Then we document what's missing and let the investigators follow the evidence."
James shook his head.
"I gave her access to everything."
"You trusted someone you intended to marry."
"I ignored Lily."
Rebecca waited.
James looked toward the hallway.
"She tried telling me Vanessa didn't like her. I kept explaining that change takes time. I thought I was teaching her to be fair."
His voice broke.
"What if I taught her that her feelings didn't matter?"
Rebecca embraced him.
"Then show her that they matter now."
That evening, James went into Lily's bedroom. She was coloring beside a photograph of Claire.
He sat on the carpet.
"Sweetheart, I need to apologize."
Lily looked worried.
"For what?"
"For not listening when you told me you were uncomfortable around Vanessa."
She considered his words.
Then she whispered, "Daddy, she said Mommy's letters were stupid."
James felt his chest tighten.
"She saw them?"
Lily nodded.
"And I know where she put them."