Chapter 4 - A HOUSE FULL OF CAMERAS
Sterling Manor had sixty-three security cameras.
Most covered the exterior.
Driveway.
Gates.
Garage.
Pool.
Hallways.
Mark had installed them after receiving threats related to a controversial development project years earlier.
Victoria knew about them.
What she didn't know was that Mark had upgraded the system three weeks earlier.
A new security company had added wider-angle cameras inside several common areas.
Including the grand hall.
Elena discovered the upgrade accidentally when the estate technician asked her not to block one camera with a floral arrangement.
That information remained in her mind.
She didn't tell Victoria.
Meanwhile, Leo's behavior worsened.
His appetite disappeared.
He stopped sleeping through the night.
If Mark picked up his briefcase in the morning, Leo began crying.
Not normal toddler crying.
Panic.
He grabbed Mark's trousers.
"Daddy no."
Mark crouched.
"I'll be home tonight."
Leo shook his head violently.
Mark looked toward Elena.
"What's happening?"
Elena hesitated.
This was the moment.
But Victoria appeared behind him.
"Separation anxiety."
She laughed lightly.
"The pediatrician's book says it's normal."
Mark relaxed slightly.
Elena didn't.
Victoria knelt and touched Leo's hair.
The boy flinched.
Mark saw it this time.
"Leo?"
Victoria immediately withdrew her hand.
"See? He's sensitive about everything."
Mark looked troubled.
But his phone rang.
Board emergency.
Thirty seconds later, the moment vanished.
Victoria watched Mark disappear through the doors.
Then she turned toward Elena.
The warmth vanished.
"Stop filling his head with nonsense."
"I haven't said anything."
"You don't need to."
Victoria stepped closer.
"I see how you look at me."
Elena lowered her voice.
"And I see how Leo looks at you."
For the first time, Victoria seemed genuinely angry.
"Remember who signs your paycheck."
"Mark does."
The answer landed harder than Elena intended.
Victoria's eyes narrowed.
"Not for much longer."
She walked away.
Elena looked toward the camera above the hallway.
A tiny green light blinked silently.
May you like
And for the first time, Elena felt hope.
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