Chapter 3
Natalie tried to explain.
That was worse than denial.
“You don’t understand the context.”
I almost laughed.
“Explain the context where my daughter needs to cry on cue.”
She folded her arms.
“It was supposed to be harmless.”
Ethan groaned from the floor.
“Natalie.”
She ignored him.
“You’ve been under pressure.”
“So?”
“People notice.”
“Who?”
She didn’t answer.
Victor stepped in.
“Men who matter.”
I looked at him.
“What men?”
“Business.”
That vague word families use when the real answer is ugly.
I replayed the recording.
Victor’s voice:
“Sebastian needs to look unstable.”
Ethan:
“And if he doesn’t hit me?”
Natalie:
“He will.”
Ethan:
“How?”
Natalie laughed.
“Touch Lily.”
My body went cold.
I stopped the video.
Ethan looked away.
Noah stared at his father.
“You knew.”
Ethan’s face hardened.
“Stay out of adult conversations.”
Noah’s lip trembled.
Victor pointed at him.
“This is what happens when children are allowed to spy.”
I stepped between them.
“He accidentally left a livestream running.”
Victor scoffed.
“Same result.”
Noah whispered:
“Dad told me to keep the birthday stream on.”
I turned.
Ethan froze.
“Why?”
Noah swallowed.
“So everyone could see Uncle Sebastian.”
Natalie said quickly:
“For the birthday.”
Noah shook his head.
“You said not the cake.”
Silence.
“What did they say?”
He looked at Ethan.
Fear.
Then at me.
“They said keep the phone on Sebastian.”
Ethan snapped:
“You little liar.”
Noah recoiled.
Victor laughed.
“Look at him. Eight years old and already desperate for attention.”
Noah started crying.
Ethan said nothing.
That made it worse.
I crouched.
“You did nothing wrong.”
Victor rolled his eyes.
“Another child being rewarded for tears.”
I stood.
“Who was supposed to watch?”
No answer.
I replayed more.
Ethan’s recorded voice:
“Mercer only needs thirty seconds.”
Natalie replied:
“Then make sure Sebastian gives him thirty seconds.”
I stopped.
Adrian Mercer.
That name belonged to a man who had spent three years trying to push into Whitmore territory without declaring open war.
I looked at Victor.
“You invited a rival into my daughter’s birthday.”
Victor smiled faintly.
“No.”
May you like
Pause.
“We invited him to watch.”
