Chapter 2 - What the Camera Caught
Sarah carried Lily into the powder room while Daniel followed with his phone.
Lily sat on the marble counter, hiccupping as Sarah cleaned frosting from her eyelashes.
"Did I do something bad?" Lily whispered.
Sarah stopped.
"No. Never."
"Miss Vanessa said Daddy likes fun girls. She said I cry too much."
Sarah's hand tightened around the towel.
Daniel closed the door.
"Play it," Sarah said.
He did.
His recording had started during the birthday song. At first there was nothing unusual: guests singing, candles glowing, Lily smiling.
Then Vanessa appeared behind the cake table.
She looked at Mark.
Mark looked back.
And he gave the smallest nod.
Three seconds later Vanessa shoved the cake.
Sarah watched it twice.
"He knew," Daniel said.
Sarah did not answer.
Lily looked between them. "Daddy knew what?"
Sarah locked the phone and forced her voice steady.
"Uncle Daniel is helping me with something. That's all."
A knock hit the door.
"Sarah. Open up."
Mark.
She opened it halfway.
He looked annoyed, not ashamed.
"You embarrassed me in front of everyone."
Sarah almost laughed.
"I embarrassed you?"
"Vanessa's face is swelling. She's talking about filing a report."
Daniel stepped into view. "You might want to think carefully before threatening my sister."
Mark's expression changed when he saw the phone.
"What did you record?"
"Enough."
For the first time that night, fear crossed Mark's face.
He lowered his voice. "Sarah, can we talk privately?"
"No."
"Please."
"You can talk right here."
Mark glanced at Lily.
"Fine. I knew Vanessa was going to do a cake smash. I thought it would be cute. I didn't know she'd push that hard."
Sarah stared at him.
"You gave her permission to humiliate our five-year-old at her own birthday party?"
"Don't twist it."
Lily slid off the counter.
"Daddy?"
Mark looked at her, finally.
Frosting still stained the lace around her collar.
"Why did you tell her yes?"
His face fell.
Before he could answer, Daniel's phone buzzed.
He glanced at the screen and went pale.
"Sarah... this isn't the first video."
May you like
He turned the phone around.
Someone had just sent him security footage from inside their house.
