Chapter 2
I sent Audrey inside with Claire before opening the rest of the album.
My daughter protested.
Not because she wanted to stay.
Because she thought leaving meant Vanessa had won.
That alone told me too much.
I crouched in front of her.
“You’re not leaving because you did anything wrong.”
Audrey looked at Vanessa.
“She says I always do.”
My jaw tightened.
“What does she say you do?”
Audrey stared at her wet shoes.
“Make trouble.”
Vanessa exhaled.
“She’s three, Damian.”
I looked up.
“Yes.”
The answer silenced her.
Audrey continued.
“She says Daddy gets tired when I cry.”
Claire’s face changed.
Mine probably did too.
“Did I ever tell you that?”
Audrey shook her head.
“No.”
“Then who did?”
She pointed at Vanessa.
Of course.
I touched Audrey’s cheek.
“Go with Claire.”
She hesitated.
“You come?”
“Yes.”
“Promise?”
“Yes.”
Only then did she leave.
I waited until the terrace doors closed.
Then I looked at Vanessa.
“You used my name.”
She folded her arms.
“To calm a difficult child.”
“No.”
My voice stayed low.
“You used my name to make my daughter afraid to tell me what you were doing.”
Her expression hardened.
“She exaggerates everything.”
I looked back at the phone.
There was a folder titled GARDEN.
Another titled STAIRS.
Another titled BREAKFAST.
My hands became still.
Organization.
Dates.
Angles.
Not random pictures.
Records.
I opened STAIRS.
The first video showed Vanessa placing a small silk scarf across the bottom stair.
Then she stepped back.
Audrey entered frame several seconds later.
The recording stopped before she reached it.
I looked at Vanessa.
“What happened after this?”
She said nothing.
I remembered.
Audrey had fallen that day.
Minor bruises.
Tears.
Vanessa held her while telling me children ran too fast.
I had thanked my wife for being there.
That memory tasted rotten now.
I opened another video.
Vanessa’s voice whispered behind the camera:
“Attempt two. Better angle.”
Silence.
I stared at her.
May you like
She had not only staged accidents.
She had numbered them.
