Chapter 2 - The Calculated CrueltyThe afternoon sun poured through the bay windows, casting long shadows across the nursery rug.
Evelyn approached Claire with the confidence of someone who believed the entire world was already under her control.
“You’re a failure, Claire.”
Claire swallowed.
“I've done nothing to you.”
“You married my son and gave him a child. That doesn't make you worthy of this family.”
Claire instinctively moved closer to Leo.
Evelyn noticed.
Her eyes hardened.
“I have already spoken to the lawyers.”
Claire froze.
“What lawyers?”
“The ones who will make sure Leo remains in this family.”
Claire’s voice trembled.
“You can't take my son.”
Evelyn leaned close.
“Marcus is a man of logic. I have manufactured the facts carefully. There are reports claiming you're unstable. Neglectful. Unfit.”
Claire stared at her in disbelief.
“You forged them?”
“I created a story people will believe.”
Evelyn grabbed Claire’s arm.
“You should have left when I gave you the chance.”
Claire winced.
Neither woman noticed the tiny cloud-shaped camera on the nursery shelf.
Its blue indicator blinked once.
May you like
Then again.
Every word was being transmitted to a secure cloud server.
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