Chapter 2 - THE FOOTAGE
Adrian crossed the room so fast Vanessa nearly tripped trying to follow him.
"Adrian, wait."
He ignored her and opened the security app on the wall-mounted television.
Clara crouched beside Lily and gently touched the child's shoulder.
"Are you dizzy?"
Lily shook her head, but she leaned into Clara anyway.
Vanessa stood behind them, suddenly dry-eyed.
"This is ridiculous," she said. "You are going to trust a camera angle over me?"
Adrian entered the time stamp.
The screen went black for a second.
Then the living room appeared.
There was Lily on the sofa, holding the teddy bear close to her chest.
There was Vanessa walking in.
The room watched in silence as Vanessa yanked the bear away.
"Put that disgusting thing in the trash."
"No. Mommy gave it to me."
On the recording, Vanessa slapped Lily.
Adrian flinched as if the hand had hit him.
The next seconds were worse.
Clara ran in. Vanessa threatened her. Then Vanessa picked up the vase and deliberately smashed it before Adrian came through the door.
The recording captured every word of the lie.
When the video ended, the television returned to the frozen image of Vanessa pointing at Clara.
Adrian did not move.
"Say something," Vanessa whispered.
His voice came out low.
"You hit my daughter."
"I lost my temper."
"You hit my daughter."
"She was screaming at me. She has been impossible since you proposed. Clara encourages it."
Clara stood.
"Do not blame a seven-year-old for your hand."
Vanessa turned on her. "Stay out of this."
"You made me part of it when you accused me of attacking a child."
Adrian held up one hand.
"Enough."
Vanessa stepped toward him. "I made one mistake. One. Are you really going to destroy us over one bad moment?"
Lily bent down and picked up the teddy bear.
Its left ear had torn during the struggle.
Something small and metallic slid from the stuffing and struck the marble with a soft click.
Everyone looked down.
A tiny brass key lay beside Lily's shoe.
Vanessa's face went white.
Clara noticed.
May you like
So did Adrian.
"Why," Adrian asked slowly, "do you know what's inside my daughter's bear?"
