Chapter 1 - The Lie at the Bottom of the Stairs
Sophia Reed grabbed Emily’s arm.
Emily barely had time to turn.
Then Sophia shoved her.
Hard.
Emily’s pregnant body twisted as she lost her footing near the top of the staircase.
Her hand missed the banister.
She slid down several steps and crashed onto the landing.
“Ah!”
Sophia stared down at her.
Then she heard footsteps.
Michael.
Sophia’s expression changed instantly.
She dropped onto the floor near the top of the stairs, grabbed her shoulder, and started crying.
Michael rushed into the hallway.
“What happened?”
Sophia pointed at Emily.
“SHE PUSHED ME!”
Emily stared at her.
“What?”
Michael looked at his sister on the floor.
Then at his pregnant wife struggling to stand.
“Michael, it wasn’t—”
He didn't let her finish.
Emily reached the bottom step.
Michael crossed the hallway.
His hand flashed across her face.
The slap snapped Emily’s head sideways.
She stumbled against the banister.
For several seconds, she simply stared at her husband.
One hand covered her cheek.
The other instinctively protected her stomach.
“You laid a hand on my sister?”
Emily couldn't speak.
Not because she didn't know what to say.
Because the man who had promised to protect her hadn't even asked what happened.
Behind him, Sophia slowly stood.
Michael couldn't see her face.
Emily could.
Sophia's tears disappeared.
For one brief second, she smiled.
Small.
Cruel.
Triumphant.
Then footsteps sounded above them.
Sophia looked up.
Seven-year-old Mason stood halfway down the stairs.
He had seen everything.
His face was pale.
“Buddy,” Michael said.
Mason didn't answer.
He looked at his mother holding her cheek.
Then at Sophia.
Then he raised one hand.
His finger pointed toward the ceiling.
“Dad… check the stairwell camera.”
Sophia froze.
Her fake crying stopped instantly.
Michael followed his son's finger.
A small security camera faced directly toward the staircase.
Its red recording light was blinking.
Michael slowly turned back toward his sister.
Sophia took one involuntary step backward.
Emily watched the color drain from her face.
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And suddenly Michael noticed something he should have noticed before.
Sophia wasn't holding her injured shoulder anymore.
