Chapter 3 - THE LIE GOES PUBLIC I read Lauren's post three times.
Each time, my hands became colder.
According to her version of Christmas, she had been trying to calm an "out-of-control" baby.
According to her version, I had been emotionally unstable.
According to her version, James had crossed the room aggressively and threatened her.
Then came the sentence that made my stomach twist.
I am genuinely worried about that child's safety in their home.
"She's setting us up," I whispered.
James took the phone.
"Don't respond."
"She's lying."
"I know."
"People believe her."
"I know."
He looked at me.
"That's why we don't give her anything else to use."
The doctor returned.
"I need to ask whether you feel safe going home."
"From Lauren?"
"From anyone involved."
James answered.
"Yes. Lauren has no access to our home."
The doctor nodded.
A social worker would speak with us.
She asked who had witnessed the slap.
I named everyone.
She asked whether Lauren had ever harmed Emma before.
I told her what Dad had revealed.
James looked at me.
"We need Dad to put his statement in writing."
At 11:47 p.m., we finally arrived home.
Emma was asleep.
James carried her upstairs.
I stood alone in the dark kitchen.
My phone showed twenty-seven missed calls.
Mom.
Lauren.
Dad.
Uncle Frank.
Unknown numbers.
Then a text from Mom appeared.
Call me before your sister does something we cannot undo.
I called Dad instead.
He answered immediately.
"Claire."
"I need you to send me exactly what you told me tonight."
A long pause.
"Your mother doesn't want me involved."
"You were involved the second you stayed silent."
Another pause.
Then Dad exhaled.
"You're right."
Ten minutes later, an email arrived.
His statement was attached.
So was a photograph.
I opened it.
My heart stopped.
It showed Emma in the guest room two months earlier.
She was crying in her bassinet.
Beside her sat a small black camera.
I'd never seen it before.
I called Dad.
"What is that?"
May you like
His answer made my skin crawl.
"That's why I took the picture."
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