Chapter 8 - The Perfect Family Post
Grant opened his phone.
Lauren’s social media page filled the screen.
A photograph had been posted that morning.
Ethan, Lauren, and Toby stood beside the resort pool.
The caption read:
Family time with the people who matter most.
Daisy stared at it.
Grant wished he had hidden the screen.
But the damage was already done.
“The people who matter most,” Daisy whispered.
Ethan looked horrified.
“Lauren, delete it.”
“It was scheduled.”
“Delete it now.”
Lauren reached for her phone.
Grant stopped her.
“Too late.”
The post had already been saved.
So had the comments.
Followers praised Lauren’s “beautiful little family.”
Several asked whether Toby was an only child.
Lauren had replied with a heart.
Ethan read it.
His face changed from guilt to anger.
“You told people we only had one child?”
“It was easier for the campaign.”
“You erased her.”
Lauren looked toward the guests watching them.
“Lower your voice.”
Grant almost laughed.
Even now, her greatest fear was embarrassment.
Not what Daisy had endured.
Not the dark house.
Not the unanswered calls.
Embarrassment.
Daisy turned away.
Grant guided her toward the shade beside the SUV.
Toby followed.
Lauren called after him.
“Toby, stay here.”
The boy looked at his sister.
“Why?”
Lauren froze.
Toby moved beside Daisy.
“I wanted you to come.”
Daisy looked at him.
“I know.”
He handed her the toy airplane.
“I saved this for you.”
She took it with both hands.
For the first time that day, something other than fear appeared in her face.
Grant watched Ethan witness the moment.
His biological son had shown Daisy more compassion than either parent.
Ethan removed his glasses and covered his eyes.
“I failed her.”
Grant answered without softness.
“Yes.”
Then Daisy’s phone vibrated.
A message had arrived from an unknown number.
I saw you through the window last night. I am sorry I did not come sooner.
Grant read it.
The sender was not Mrs. Hall.
It was another neighbor.
May you like
And she had seen something far worse than an empty house.
👉 Someone had been watching Daisy’s home during the night—and the family was not the only danger outside her door.
