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Chapter 2 — The Truth Behind the Door

The polished brass doorknob slowly turned.

Daniel instinctively stepped between Emily and the nursery door.

When it swung open, Victoria stood there as though nothing unusual had happened.

Her cream-colored dress was immaculate.

A crystal wineglass rested effortlessly in her hand.

She smiled the moment she saw Daniel.

"You're home early."

Daniel didn't answer.

His eyes remained fixed on her while Emily trembled behind him.

Victoria's smile faded ever so slightly.

Then she noticed the torn sheets.

The blood on Emily's wrists.

The briefcase lying on the floor.

For the first time all day, something resembling concern flickered across her face—not for Emily, but for herself.

"Daniel..." she began carefully. "This isn't what it looks like."

Emily suddenly spoke.

"No."

Her voice was weak but steady.

"It's much worse."

Victoria's head snapped toward her.

"You should have stayed quiet."

Daniel slowly turned back.

"What was it you were about to tell me?"

Emily swallowed painfully.

"When Mrs. Cole tied me here... she didn't stop."

Victoria's face drained of color.

"Emily..."

"She took your phone from your office."

Daniel frowned.

"My phone?"

Emily nodded.

"She answered every call from the hospital."

Daniel's heartbeat slowed.

"What hospital?"

"My son's hospital."

Emily's eyes filled with tears.

"They called six times."

"Every single time... she answered."

Victoria whispered, "Don't..."

Emily ignored her.

"They begged me to come."

"The doctors said my little boy only had hours left."

Daniel stared at his wife.

Victoria looked away.

Emily's voice broke.

"She told them... his mother didn't care enough to come."

Silence crashed over the room.

Daniel felt physically sick.

Emily continued.

"Then she blocked the hospital's number."

"And she laughed."

Victoria suddenly exploded.

"Enough!"

She hurled the wineglass across the nursery.

It shattered against the wall beside Daniel's head.

Red wine splashed across the white crib like blood.

"You think he'll believe you?" Victoria screamed.

"You're a nanny."

"I'm his wife."

Daniel slowly picked up his phone from the bedside table.

He opened the recent call log.

Six blocked calls.

All from St. Mary's Children's Hospital.

The timestamps matched exactly.

His hands began to shake.

Victoria realized he had seen everything.

She took one slow step backward.

May you like

Then another.

Before Daniel could react, she turned and sprinted down the hallway.

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