Chapter 9 - The Trap Inside the House
“Then move the signing forward,” Elliot replied.
Margot lay motionless while the second phone recorded every word.
Lucas paced in the hallway.
“She saw something in the drawer.”
“How much?”
“I don’t know.”
“Don’t panic.”
“I’m not panicking.”
His voice said otherwise.
Elliot lowered his tone.
“Get the signature. Once the agreement is executed, the transfers become much harder to challenge.”
“And the will?”
“Already witnessed.”
“What about Claire?”
“Keep her convinced Margot is unstable.”
Margot’s fingers clenched beneath the blanket.
Her own daughter was part of their strategy—not as an accomplice, but as someone they intended to deceive.
Lucas ended the call and returned her phone to the nightstand.
The next morning, Margot called Claire while Lucas was showering.
“Do not react,” she whispered. “Your father is listening to my calls and telling people I’m losing my memory.”
Claire went silent.
“Mom—”
“I need you to trust me without asking questions.”
“I do.”
Margot closed her eyes.
Those two words gave her the strength she had nearly lost.
She instructed Claire to behave normally and save every message from Lucas.
Before hanging up, Claire said, “He asked me whether dementia runs in your family.”
Margot’s stomach turned.
The bathroom water stopped.
May you like
She deleted the call log and hid the second phone.
👉 Ten minutes later, Lucas entered carrying the divorce agreement and announced that two witnesses were arriving that afternoon.
