Chapter 2 — The Recording Nobody Was Supposed to Hear
The patio stood frozen.
No one spoke.
Even the photographer lowered his camera.
Michael held up his phone, the screen still glowing.
"I've been recording since 9:42 this morning," he said quietly.
Jessica forced a laugh.
"You secretly recorded me? Michael, that's illegal."
"No."
His voice remained calm.
"It isn't illegal to document what happens in my own home."
She opened her mouth again.
Nothing came.
Then Michael tapped the screen.
Jessica's voice echoed across the patio.
"If you cry for your dead mother one more time..."
Several guests slowly turned toward Sophia.
The little girl's eyes filled with tears.
"Useful girls don't argue."
A donor quietly set down his coffee cup.
Michael played another clip.
Matthew's frightened voice.
"Can I keep Mommy's picture?"
Jessica answered without hesitation.
"Dead people belong in boxes."
Sarah covered her mouth.
One of the reporters immediately started recording.
Jessica's perfect smile disappeared.
"Those recordings don't show the whole story."
Michael nodded.
"They don't."
He pressed another button.
"This one does."
The recording was from the previous night.
Jessica's voice drifted through the speaker.
"If Michael marries me, those children will be sent to boarding school by Christmas."
A man's unfamiliar voice answered.
"And their trust funds?"
Jessica laughed.
"Once we're married, I'll have access to everything."
The patio erupted.
One donor stood up.
Another guest whispered,
"My God..."
Jessica looked around desperately.
"He's twisting everything!"
Michael finally looked directly into her eyes.
May you like
"No."
"You simply forgot someone was listening."
