Chapter 2 — The Hidden Camera
Jake immediately called 911.
Within minutes, paramedics arrived and rushed Megan to the hospital.
Doctors confirmed something that made Jake physically sick.
Several of the bruises had been caused by repeated blunt impacts over many weeks.
One physician gently asked Megan,
"Do you feel safe at home?"
She hesitated.
Then looked at Jake.
Finally...
She nodded.
"But not when she's there."
Jake walked into the hallway, barely able to think.
His phone buzzed.
It was a notification from the smart security app he had installed months earlier.
The camera inside the living room had been disconnected weeks ago.
He had assumed the battery had died.
Instead...
He checked the cloud backup.
One forgotten camera was still recording.
Not the living room.
The hallway.
His hands trembled as he opened the footage.
There was Linda.
Entering the apartment every afternoon.
Using the spare key Jake had given her.
Then came another clip.
Linda opening the bedroom door.
Another.
Megan trying to sit up.
Then...
The video froze for one second before resuming.
Jake watched in horror as Linda shoved the bedroom chair into Megan's legs.
Again.
And again.
Megan never fought back.
She only wrapped both hands around her stomach, trying to protect the baby.
Jake dropped the phone.
Everything his mother had told him...
Every accusation...
May you like
Every lie...
Had been carefully planned.
