Chapter 1 — The Recording She Forgot About
The hospital room remained silent after the doctor left.
Daniel sat beside Claire's bed, unable to take his eyes off her.
His hand trembled as he whispered,
"Twins..."
Claire slowly reached toward the bedside table.
"My phone."
Daniel frowned.
"It was still at the house."
"No."
She looked at him steadily.
"I synchronized everything."
"What do you mean?"
"My anniversary recording uploaded automatically."
Daniel stared.
Claire pressed a button on her tablet.
The video appeared.
Crystal chandeliers.
The anniversary table.
The silver baby spoon engraved with Soon.
Her quiet smile.
Then Vivian's voice.
"You're always desperate for attention."
The recording captured everything.
Vivian standing.
Her deliberate step forward.
The kick.
Daniel's horrified scream.
Then Vivian leaning down while Claire lay bleeding.
"You will not take what belongs to me."
Daniel stopped breathing.
He replayed those six words again.
And again.
There was no misunderstanding.
No accident.
No loss of balance.
Only intent.
He slowly stood.
"I'm going home."
Claire nodded.
May you like
"Take the recording."
"And don't let her delete anything else."
