Chapter 2: The Neighbor Who Heard Everything
The next morning Jake called the obstetrician.
Within an hour Megan was examined.
The physician confirmed the injuries were healing but had likely resulted from a fall weeks earlier rather than normal pregnancy changes.
"You should have come sooner," the doctor said gently.
Megan lowered her head.
"I was afraid."
Jake squeezed her hand.
"You never have to be afraid alone again."
As they returned to the apartment, someone knocked on the door.
It was Mrs. Alvarez.
The elderly neighbor from across the hall.
She looked nervous.
"I heard what happened."
Jake invited her inside.
She hesitated before speaking.
"I've been carrying something on my conscience."
She reached into her purse and removed her phone.
"I recorded part of what happened."
Jake stared.
"You did?"
"I heard screaming in the hallway that afternoon."
She opened the video.
The recording was shaky.
But the voices were unmistakable.
Diane shouted,
"You're turning my son against me!"
Then came Megan's frightened voice.
"Please don't touch me!"
The camera briefly caught Diane grabbing Megan's arm.
A moment later—
Megan disappeared from view.
A loud crash echoed through the hallway.
Mrs. Alvarez immediately dropped her phone and ran to help.
The recording ended.
Jake couldn't speak.
His mother hadn't merely lied.
She had watched Megan fall...
Then convinced her to hide the truth.
That evening Diane arrived expecting another family dinner.
Instead she found two police officers waiting outside the apartment.
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One officer politely informed her that an investigation had been opened.
For the first time, Diane realized she could no longer control the story.
