My hands were trembling, but I refused to let my anger make the decisions for me.
I went downstairs, placed the decorations on the dining table, and picked up my phone.
The first call was to Emily.
“Hey, Meg!” she answered cheerfully. “Are you already at the house?”
Discover more
birthdays
Order Fresh Bakes
Cakes
“Yes. Emily, where are you?”Plan a Birthday
“I’m almost home. I just stopped to pick up a few things. Is everything okay?”
I looked toward the staircase.
“No. But I need you to come home right now.”
Her voice immediately changed.
“What happened?”
“I’ll explain when you get here. Please don’t stop anywhere else.”
There was a long silence.
“Is Ryan okay?”Order Sweet Treats
I closed my eyes.
“Just come home, Emily.”
I ended the call before she could ask another question.
Then I called Daniel, Vanessa’s husband.
Daniel had always treated Emily and me with kindness. He was the sort of man who remembered birthdays and helped people without expecting anything in return.
Discover more
Recipe book subscription
Kitchen tools
Cooking classes online
He deserved to know that something was terribly wrong.
“Hey, Megan,” he answered. “Everything all right?”
“I need you to come to Emily’s house.”Explore Bath Decor
“Why? Is Emily okay?”
“She’s on her way home. Please come as soon as you can.”
He hesitated.
“Is Vanessa there?”
I swallowed.
“Yes.”
“Is she alone?”
I looked toward the stairs.Compare Windows
“No.”
Daniel didn’t speak for several seconds.
