Chapter 5 - Whispers in the Nursery
For the next four days, our house felt like a theatrical stage. Every evening, Damon came home, kissed my cheek, rubbed my belly, and asked how his ""two favorite girls"" were doing. And every evening, I smiled, handed him a home-cooked dinner, and nodded along to his fabricated stories about corporate meetings and client presentations.
Thanks to the hidden pinhole cameras, I knew exactly what was happening behind my back.
On Thursday afternoon while I was supposedly at an acupuncture session, the alert on my phone chimed. I opened the live feed from the master bedroom camera.
Damon and Claire were standing in our bedroom. Claire was wearing a tight cream knit dress that subtly accentuated her early bump.
""Are you sure she doesn't suspect anything?"" Claire asked, running her fingers through Damon’s hair. ""Yesterday at brunch, she asked me why I looked so tired. I almost choked on my mimosa.""
""She has no idea,"" Damon chuckled, pulling her toward the bed. ""Emily lives in a fairy tale world. All she cares about is paint swatches for the nursery and organic baby food. She’s completely oblivious.""
""Good,"" Claire purred, resting her head against his chest. ""Because the closing on the condo is on Monday. Did the final wire go through?""
""Transferring the last fifty grand tomorrow morning,"" Damon replied smoothly. ""Once that’s done, the condo is legally registered under C&D Holdings. When Emily and I split in November, that asset is completely shielded from the divorce settlement. My lawyer friend drafted the shell agreement perfectly.""
""I can't wait,"" Claire whispered. ""I'm sick of pretending with Owen. Every time he touches me, I want to scream. But I need him to pay off the remaining balance on my luxury car lease before I break it off.""
Sitting in my car three blocks away, watching the video stream, I felt a calm, chilling stillness settle inside me. Every word they uttered was being recorded in pristine 4K video with crystal-clear audio, instantly routed to Marcus’s secure server. They were literally handing us their execution order on a silver platter.
That night, Damon came into our half-finished nursery. I was sitting in the glider chair, folding tiny white onesies.
He leaned against the crib rail, watching me with a look that almost resembled affection. ""You're going to be an amazing mom, Em.""
I looked up, meeting his eyes without flinching. ""I will do anything to protect my daughter, Damon. Anything at all.""
""I know you will,"" he said softly, unaware of the double meaning slicing through the room. ""Claire really outdid herself with the shower planning, by the way. She rented the Grand Ballroom at the club. She said over sixty people are coming.""
""She’s been very... dedicated,"" I said with a faint smile. ""She told me she has a special surprise slideshow prepared for the guests.""
""Really? That’s great. She’s a good friend.""
""The best,"" I murmured, smoothing down a miniature pink cardigan. ""You know, Damon, life has a funny way of giving people exactly what they deserve. Don't you think?""
Damon laughed, running a hand through his hair. ""I guess so. Good things happen to good people.""
""Exactly,"" I said. ""And the truth always has a way of coming to the light.""
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He hesitated for a fraction of a second, as if an icy breeze had brushed the back of his neck. But his arrogance quickly swallowed the doubt. ""Get some sleep, Em. Big day ahead on Saturday.""
""You too, Damon,"" I said quietly. ""Enjoy your peace while it lasts.""
