Chapter 2 - THE RECORDING
The first person through the glass doors was Ethan's older brother, Daniel.
Behind him came two security guards and several confused guests.
Daniel stopped when he saw the scene.
“Ethan?”
Ethan didn't answer.
He was still holding Lily.
Vanessa remained on the floor.
Rebecca stood several feet away, breathing heavily.
One of the guards noticed the leather whip.
His expression hardened.
“Ma'am, put your hands where I can see them.”
Rebecca immediately protested.
“This is a misunderstanding.”
“No,” Ethan said.
Everyone looked at him.
“This isn't a misunderstanding.”
Vanessa slowly sat upright.
Ethan helped her to her feet.
She winced.
He noticed.
His face tightened.
“Are you hurt?”
“I'll be okay.”
“You don't have to say that.”
Vanessa looked at him.
There was something in her eyes that hurt more than anger.
It was disappointment.
“I said that for two years.”
Ethan looked away.
Daniel stepped closer.
“What happened?”
Vanessa held up her phone.
“Everything is here.”
Rebecca shook her head.
“She edited it.”
Vanessa pressed play.
Rebecca's voice filled the room.
“You should have left when I told you.”
Then Vanessa's voice.
“I won't let you near Lily.”
Rebecca answered.
“Ethan already believes me.”
The recording continued.
Rebecca had spoken freely because she thought she had control.
She admitted manipulating Ethan.
She admitted telling him Vanessa had become unstable.
She admitted arranging meetings between Ethan and herself.
And then came the sentence that made Ethan's blood run cold.
“Once Vanessa signs those custody papers, Lily will be mine.”
Ethan stared at Rebecca.
“You wanted custody?”
Rebecca smiled bitterly.
“I wanted your family.”
Daniel's face became pale.
Vanessa stopped the recording.
Silence filled the room.
Rebecca looked at Ethan.
“You don't understand.”
“Then explain.”
“I loved you.”
“You attacked my wife and daughter.”
Rebecca's eyes flashed.
“She was destroying everything.”
“No,” Ethan said.
“You were.”
Security moved closer.
Rebecca suddenly reached into her handbag.
The guards reacted immediately.
But she only pulled out a phone.
She held it up.
“You think this is over?”
Ethan's expression hardened.
Rebecca smiled.
“There are things you don't know about your wife.”
Vanessa stiffened.
Rebecca looked directly at her.
“You should tell him about Marcus.”
Vanessa's face changed.
Ethan noticed.
“Who's Marcus?”
Vanessa said nothing.
Rebecca laughed softly.
“There it is.”
Ethan turned toward his wife.
“Vanessa?”
Vanessa closed her eyes.
The room seemed to shrink around them.
Finally, she whispered,
“Marcus was my brother.”
Ethan waited.
“What happened to him?”
Vanessa looked at Rebecca.
“He disappeared three years ago.”
May you like
Rebecca smiled.
“I know where he is.”
