Chapter 2 – The Voice Upstairs
The nursery fell silent again.
But the damage had already been done.
No one at the dining table moved.
Margaret Bennett slowly lowered her wine glass.
Jason's face drained of color.
Olivia remained standing, one hand resting protectively over her swollen belly.
Only the baby monitor sat innocently on the polished mahogany table, its tiny green light still blinking.
Jason lunged toward it.
"It's malfunctioning."
Olivia calmly picked it up before he could reach it.
"No."
"It finally worked."
She pressed one button.
The recording played again.
Jason's unmistakable voice echoed through the dining room.
"The baby is mine... but if Mom keeps blaming Olivia, I can move the money before she figures out about Vanessa."
Margaret stared at her son.
"What money?"
Jason swallowed hard.
"You don't understand."
"I understand enough," Margaret replied.
Olivia quietly reached into her handbag.
"I think everyone deserves to hear the rest."
She connected her phone to the dining room speakers.
Another recording began.
Jason laughed.
Vanessa's voice answered.
"Once your grandfather changes the trust, we'll leave together."
Jason replied without hesitation.
"Mom will keep Olivia distracted with the paternity story. She'll never notice the transfer."
Silence crashed over the room.
Margaret looked as though someone had struck her.
"You used me?"
Jason couldn't answer.
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For years, Margaret had believed she was controlling the family.
Instead, she had been nothing more than a tool.
