Chapter 2: The Mask Begins To Crack
Arthur tried to convince himself that Lily was only adjusting.
Children sometimes struggled when someone new entered their lives.
But small things started happening.
Lily stopped eating breakfast when Victoria prepared it.
She stopped asking Victoria to read bedtime stories.
And every time Arthur mentioned a future wedding, his daughter became silent.
At first, Arthur ignored it.
Until one afternoon, he received a call from Lilyâs preschool teacher.
"Mr. Carter, I wanted to ask if everything is okay at home."
Arthur frowned.
"Why?"
The teacher hesitated.
"Lily drew a picture today."
Arthur looked at the paper when he arrived.
It showed three people.
Arthur.
Lily.
And a woman standing far away.
The woman had a black shadow around her.
"Why did you draw Victoria like this?" Arthur asked gently.
Lily looked down.
"Because Mommy told me to be careful."
Arthur's heart stopped.
"Your mother?"
Lily touched the necklace around her neck.
"Mommy talks to me in my dreams."
That night, Arthur checked the security cameras.
Something strange appeared.
At 2:13 a.m.
Victoria entered Lily's room.
She stood beside the sleeping child for almost ten minutes.
Not touching her.
Not speaking.
Just watching.
Arthur replayed the footage again.
And again.
Then he noticed something.
Victoria wasn't looking at Lily.
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She was looking at the camera.
As if she knew she was being watched.
