Chapter 9: The Trap Inside Our Home
Patricia came back at 9:04 p.m.
Exactly when the message predicted.
That was the part that frightened me most.
Someone knew her movements.
Someone was helping her.
Daniel stood beside me as the front door opened.
Patricia walked inside carrying the same calm expression she always wore.
Like she owned the place.
Like nothing had happened.
“Daniel.””
He didn’t move.
“Mom.””
Her eyes moved toward me.
Then toward Rachel.
Her expression changed.
Only slightly.
But enough.
“You.””
Rachel stood.
“Hello, Patricia.””
Patricia smiled.
“I thought you were smarter than this.””
Rachel said nothing.
Daniel stepped forward.
“What are you doing here?””
Patricia looked surprised.
“This is my son’s house.””
“No.””
His voice was firm.
“This is our house.””
That sentence hurt Patricia more than any accusation.
Her face tightened.
“I see.””
She looked at me.
“You finally convinced him.””
I shook my head.
“No. You finally showed him.””
Patricia laughed softly.
“You think you won?””
I stared at her.
“This was never a game.””
She walked closer.
“It always is.””
Daniel’s expression changed.
“Mom, leave.””
She looked at him.
“You’re choosing her?””
“I’m choosing the truth.””
Patricia’s smile disappeared.
Then she reached into her purse.
And pulled out a phone.
Daniel frowned.
“What is that?””
She pressed a button.
A recording played.
My own voice.
Saying words I had never said.
I froze.
The audio sounded real.
Too real.
“Daniel, I don’t care what happens to your mother…”
My blood ran cold.
“That’s fake.””
Patricia smiled.
“Is it?””
Daniel looked at me.
The old fear returned to his eyes.
I stepped closer.
“Daniel, listen to me.””
But Patricia interrupted.
“She’s been lying to you.””
Rachel grabbed the phone.
“Stop.””
Patricia looked at her.
“You should have stayed quiet.””
Rachel stared at the screen.
Then her face changed.
“This isn’t real.””
Daniel looked at her.
“What?””
Rachel took the phone.
“This recording was edited.””
Patricia’s smile disappeared.
Only for a moment.
Rachel continued.
“The pauses are wrong. The background noise changes.””
Daniel looked at Patricia.
“You made this?””
Patricia didn’t answer.
And that silence exposed her.
Then something unexpected happened.
A car stopped outside.
Headlights flashed through the window.
Everyone turned.
Patricia looked nervous.
Actually nervous.
Daniel noticed.
“Who is that?””
Nobody answered.
The front door opened.
A man walked inside.
Patricia stepped back.
Because she knew him.
Daniel looked confused.
“Who are you?””
The man held a folder.
“I’m the person who helped Patricia build her case.””
Patricia whispered:
“Don’t.””
The man ignored her.
He looked at Daniel.
“And I’m here because she never told you the whole truth.””
He placed the folder on the table.
Inside was a photograph.
A photograph that made Daniel’s face turn pale.
May you like
Because the person standing beside Patricia in the picture…
was someone from Daniel’s own past.
