Chapter 5 - The Story About LilyVanessa had spent months teaching Daniel a story.
Lily was jealous.
Lily acted out.
Lily lied.
Lily wanted attention after Noah was born.
Every time Lily cried, the story grew stronger.
Every time Vanessa pushed her until she reacted, the cameras captured the reaction.
Then Vanessa clipped the footage.
Short videos appeared in a hidden folder on the laptop.
Lily screaming.
Lily throwing a plastic cup.
Lily pushing away a plate.
Lily refusing to hug Vanessa.
What the clips did not show was what happened first.
The full footage did.
Vanessa taking away food because Lily asked for Daniel.
Vanessa waking Lily early to clean.
Vanessa making Lily hold Noah while Vanessa took phone calls.
Vanessa whispering:
“If you make Daddy choose, he’ll choose the baby.”
Daniel watched one clip with Harris.
Only one.
Then he stood.
“I can’t.”
Harris paused it.
Daniel covered his mouth.
“I told her Vanessa loved her.”
Harris said nothing.
Daniel looked at him.
“Say it.”
“What?”
“That I failed her.”
Harris leaned back.
“You don’t need me to say it.”
That was worse.
Meanwhile, Margaret sat with Lily at her small dining table.
Lily ate half a grilled-cheese sandwich, then wrapped the other half in a napkin.
Margaret noticed.
“For later?”
Lily froze.
Then nodded.
Margaret kept her voice calm.
“You can have another one later.”
“Even if I don’t finish this?”
“Yes.”
Lily looked suspicious.
“Vanessa says wasting food means no snack.”
Margaret’s throat tightened.
“Well, Vanessa isn’t making the rules here.”
Lily looked toward the hallway.
“Is Daddy?”
Margaret did not lie.
“Not right now.”
Lily nodded.
Then whispered:
“Good.”
Margaret had to look away.
That afternoon, Harris called.
The forensic team had found a schedule on Vanessa’s laptop.
It listed incidents.
Dates.
Camera numbers.
Expected reactions.
Beside one entry was a note:
STAIRCASE — D.C. HOME BY 6:30. MAKE SURE HE SEES AFTERMATH, NOT START.
Harris stared at Daniel.
“D.C. is you.”
Daniel felt sick.
“What happened on the staircase?”
Harris clicked the corresponding video.
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Lily was at the top of the stairs.
Vanessa was directly behind her.
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