Chapter 11: The Eyes Inside My House
I searched every room.
Not because I knew what I was looking for.
Because I needed proof.
The house suddenly felt unfamiliar.
Every corner.
Every picture frame.
Every decoration.
Anything could have been hiding something.
My mother called while I was checking the living room.
“Sarah?””
I answered immediately.
“Mom, are you safe?””
“Yes.””
Her voice softened.
“What happened?””
I looked at Jason.
Then at Robert standing near the kitchen.
“I found out there’s more.””
A pause.
Then she whispered:
“I knew it.””
I froze.
“What?””
My mother sighed.
“There was something strange.””
“What do you mean?””
“Before you came home, I noticed a small light blinking near the bookshelf.””
I looked toward the living room.
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because I thought I was imagining things.””
I walked toward the bookshelf.
Behind a row of decorations was a tiny black device.
My stomach dropped.
I pulled it out.
Robert stopped smiling.
Jason stared.
“What is that?””
I looked at him.
“You tell me.””
He shook his head.
“I swear I didn’t know.””
I believed him.
And somehow that made everything worse.
Someone had been inside our lives without us knowing.
I called Rebecca immediately.
She answered on the first ring.
“Sarah?””
“I found a camera.””
Silence.
Then:
“Do not touch anything else.””
Too late.
I already had.
But I placed it on the table.
Rebecca continued.
“I’m coming over.””
Robert stepped forward.
“You should be careful with accusations.””
I looked at him.
“You put cameras in my house.””
He smiled.
“Can you prove it?””
That was the problem.
People like him survived because they knew how to hide.
But then Jason spoke.
“There’s something else.””
Everyone looked at him.
He walked toward the office.
“I found something last week.””
I followed.
“What?””
He opened a drawer.
Inside was a small notebook.
“I didn’t know what it meant.””
I took it.
The pages were filled with dates.
Times.
Notes.
My schedule.
Noah’s schedule.
My mother’s visits.
I looked at Jason.
“He tracked us.””
Jason nodded.
Robert became quiet.
That was the first time he looked worried.
I opened the final page.
There was one sentence.
*“Once Sarah is removed, custody will be easier.””*
My hands shook.
Rebecca’s warning suddenly felt real.
They weren’t just after money.
They wanted control.
My child.
My home.
My entire life.
I looked at Robert.
“You planned this.””
He didn’t answer.
Jason stepped between us.
“You’re not touching Noah.””
Robert looked at him.
“You don’t have a choice.””
That sentence broke something in Jason.
“You’re wrong.””
Robert smiled.
“Am I?””
He pulled out his phone.
Then he showed Jason the screen.
Jason’s expression changed instantly.
“What is that?””
I stepped closer.
On the screen was a photo.
A document.
A signed document.
Jason looked terrified.
“No.””
Robert smiled.
“Remember this?””
Jason whispered:
“That’s impossible.””
I looked at him.
“What is it?””
He didn’t answer.
Robert did.
“A contract.””
I stared at the paper.
“What contract?””
Robert looked at Jason.
“The one where he promised me control if he couldn’t repay the debt.””
My heart sank.
Jason shook his head.
“I never agreed to that.””
Robert smiled.
“You did.””
Then he turned the phone toward me.
At the bottom of the document was a signature.
Jason’s.
And beside it…
May you like
A second signature.
Mine.
