Chapter 3 - THE LIE GOES PUBLICI read Lauren's post three times.
Each time it became uglier.
She claimed Emma had been "screaming uncontrollably."
She claimed I was "emotionally unstable."
She claimed James had "charged across the room" and threatened her.
Then she wrote the sentence that made my hands go cold.
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 about you."
"I know."
"People are believing her."
"I know."
The doctor returned and asked whether we felt safe going home.
James answered immediately.
"Yes. Lauren does not have access to our home."
A social worker was called.
We answered questions.
We gave names of witnesses.
We explained the previous babysitting incident.
Before leaving, the doctor told us the incident would be documented.
At 11:47 p.m., we finally reached home.
Emma slept in her car seat.
I stood in the dark kitchen staring at my phone.
Twenty-seven missed calls.
Twelve from Mom.
Nine from Lauren.
Three from Dad.
Three from people I barely recognized.
Then a message arrived from Mom.
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. In writing."
There was a pause.
"Your mother doesn't want me involved."
"You were involved the second you stayed quiet."
Silence.
Then:
"You're right."
Ten minutes later, an email arrived.
His written statement included something I hadn't expected.
A photograph.
I opened it.
Emma was lying in the guest room in her bassinet.
She was crying.
Beside her stood a small black camera.
I had never seen it before.
I called Dad.
"What camera is that?"
His answer made my skin prickle.
"That's why I took the picture."
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"What do you mean?"
"It wasn't ours."
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