Chapter 5 - WHAT MOM SAID AFTER WE LEFT Megan's video shook slightly.

Our faces had disappeared from the frame.

But the audio remained clear.

Lauren laughed.

"Claire babies that kid. Somebody has to toughen her up."

Mom answered:

"Not while James is home."

I stopped breathing.

James stared at the screen.

"Not while James is home."

The sentence hung between us.

It meant she knew.

Maybe not everything.

But enough.

I called Mom.

She answered immediately.

"Claire—"

"What did you mean?"

"Mean about what?"

"Megan's video."

Silence.

"You said, 'Not while James is home.'"

Mom's breathing changed.

"You're misunderstanding."

"Did Lauren hit Emma before?"

"No."

Too fast.

"Did she yell at her?"

"Babies cry."

"Did she leave her alone?"

"Claire—"

"Did you know?"

Mom snapped.

"I am not going to be interrogated by my own daughter."

I looked at James.

He took my hand.

I swallowed.

"Then I'll make this simple."

My voice trembled.

"You don't see Emma until I know exactly what happened every time Lauren was around her."

Mom gasped.

"You cannot keep my granddaughter from me."

"Watch me."

I hung up.

My knees weakened.

James caught me.

"You did the right thing."

"Why does it feel terrible?"

"Because the right thing isn't always painless."

At 2:06 a.m., an email arrived.

From Lauren.

Subject:

YOU WANT THE TRUTH?

The message contained one sentence.

Ask Mom why she begged me not to tell you what happened the day Emma stopped breathing for twenty seconds.

James went completely still.

"What day?"

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