Chapter 4 - Daniel Comes Home Early
Sarah did not move until Vanessa left the office.
Then she locked the door and called Daniel.
He answered on the third ring.
“Sarah? Are the twins okay?”
“They’re safe.”
The fear in his voice sharpened. “What happened?”
Sarah looked toward the hallway.
“I need you to come home.”
A long pause.
“Tell me why.”
“I heard a woman in the nursery last night. The security footage was deleted. Vanessa has administrator access, and she just threatened me.”
Daniel said nothing for several seconds.
When he finally spoke, his voice was low.
“Take Noah and Mia somewhere Vanessa can’t isolate you. Don’t confront her again.”
“You believe me?”
“I believe you’re scared. That’s enough.”
He hung up.
Three hours later, a black SUV came through the gate.
Daniel walked into the house wearing the same dark suit he had worn to the airport the day before. His tie was gone. His face looked carved from stone.
Vanessa hurried down the staircase.
“Daniel? What are you doing here?”
He did not kiss her.
“Where are the twins?”
“With Sarah in the playroom.”
Vanessa gave a small, wounded laugh. “Of course they are.”
Daniel turned toward Sarah as she entered carrying Mia.
“Show me everything.”
Vanessa’s expression changed.
“Daniel, she’s been acting strange. She broke into your office. She’s obsessed with Emily. I think she’s trying to make herself important to you.”
Sarah felt heat rise in her face.
“That’s a lie.”
Vanessa continued calmly. “She claimed the babies were talking to their dead mother. Then she went through private files. Ask her.”
Daniel looked at Sarah.
Before Sarah could speak, Noah toddled into the room.
He stared at Vanessa.
Then he looked at his father.
“Daddy.”
Daniel crouched. “Hey, buddy.”
Noah raised a trembling finger.
For one second, Sarah thought he would point at Vanessa.
He didn’t.
He pointed at the security camera above the playroom door.
“Mama,” he whispered.
Everyone went silent.
Daniel slowly stood.
Then his phone buzzed.
A message appeared from an unknown number.
DON’T TRUST THE FOOTAGE THEY SHOW YOU.
Under it was a photograph taken less than one minute earlier.
May you like
It showed Daniel standing in the playroom.
Someone inside the house was watching them.
