Chapter 6: The Person Who Had Been Watching Me
I knew that smile.
It wasn’t the smile of someone who had won.
It was the smile of someone who thought the game was almost over.
Daniel noticed it too.
“Mom.””
Margaret looked innocent.
“What?””
“Did you request my wife’s medical records?””
She didn’t answer.
That was enough.
My chest tightened.
“Daniel…”
He raised his hand.
“I know.””
But his voice sounded different.
Less confused.
More afraid.
Margaret walked toward the table.
“You’re making a mistake.””
Daniel stared at her.
“No. I’m starting to understand.””
She shook her head.
“You’re letting her manipulate you.””
I almost couldn’t believe those words.
After everything.
After the video.
After the fall.
She was still trying to make me the villain.
Daniel picked up the USB drive.
“Why did you bring this here today?””
Margaret looked away.
“Because I wanted to protect you.””
“From what?””
“From her.””
I laughed quietly.
Not because anything was funny.
Because I was exhausted.
“You pushed me down the stairs.””
Her eyes flashed.
“Be careful.””
The warning was calm.
Too calm.
Daniel heard it.
His expression changed.
“Are you threatening my wife?””
Margaret looked shocked.
“Your wife?””
She pointed at herself.
“I’m your mother.””
“And she’s carrying my child.””
The words hung there.
For the first time, Margaret had no response.
Then the front door opened.
A voice came from the hallway.
“Daniel?””
All of us turned.
A woman stood there holding a medical bag.
I recognized her immediately.
Dr. Lauren Hayes.
My obstetrician.
Daniel looked confused.
“Doctor?””
She looked at me.
Then at the staircase.
Her face changed.
“What happened?””
Before I could answer, Margaret stepped forward.
“She fell.””
Dr. Hayes looked at her.
Then at me.
“I see.””
Something about her tone made Margaret uncomfortable.
The doctor walked toward me.
“Are you having contractions?””
I nodded.
“Yes.””
She checked her watch.
Then looked serious.
“Daniel, we need to get her to the hospital.””
Daniel immediately moved.
“I’ll call an ambulance.””
Dr. Hayes stopped him.
“Before you do, I need to tell you something.””
Everyone froze.
She reached into her bag.
And pulled out a small envelope.
My heart sank.
Not another envelope.
Not another secret.
She looked at Daniel.
“This was left at my office yesterday.””
Daniel took it.
“By who?””
Dr. Hayes looked directly at Margaret.
“I was told not to give it to anyone except the baby’s father.””
Margaret stepped back.
“What?””
Daniel opened the envelope.
Inside was a single photograph.
He looked at it.
Then his face changed.
“What is this?””
I couldn’t see from where I was sitting.
“What?””
Daniel slowly turned the picture around.
My blood went cold.
Because the photo showed me.
But I had never seen it before.
It was taken while I was asleep.
May you like
And in the background of the room…
stood Margaret.
