. CHAPTER 3 — The Camera That Blinked
Vanessa followed Ethan’s gaze, and all the color drained from her face.
The camera above the staircase blinked once, red and steady.
For years, that camera had been useless decoration. Walter Monroe had installed it after a charity gala guest stole a diamond brooch and blamed a waiter. Most family members forgot it existed because the monitor was hidden in the west office behind a portrait of Ethan’s grandfather.
Khloe had never known.
Vanessa clearly had.
“That thing doesn’t record sound,” Vanessa said too quickly.
Ethan turned toward her. “How would you know?”
The room went silent enough to hear the fountain outside.
Vanessa blinked. “Everyone knows. Your father told us years ago.”
“My father told the family it didn’t record sound,” Ethan said. “Then he changed the system after someone leaked his medical records.”
Khloe lifted her head slightly. “Ethan…”
He knelt again. “Don’t move. Ambulance is on its way.” He had already tapped his phone while Vanessa talked, one thumb moving with frightening calm.
Vanessa’s mask began cracking. “You called an ambulance before hearing my side?”
“I heard your side.” Ethan’s eyes sharpened. “It sounded rehearsed.”
The front doors opened again. Two security officers entered, followed by Mrs. Alvarez, the housekeeper, who had worked for the Monroes since Ethan was thirteen. Her face twisted when she saw Khloe on the floor.
“Madam,” Mrs. Alvarez whispered, rushing forward.
Vanessa snapped, “Don’t touch her! She’s pretending.”
Mrs. Alvarez froze, then looked at Ethan.
Ethan’s voice remained calm. “Get the tablet from the west office. Now.”
Mrs. Alvarez understood immediately.
Vanessa moved toward the hallway, blocking her. “No. I mean—there’s no need to make this dramatic. Khloe fell. Pregnancy makes women emotional and clumsy.”
Khloe flinched.
Something dark passed through Ethan’s face.
“Say one more word about my wife,” he said, “and the police arrive before the ambulance.”
Vanessa laughed again, but this time it sounded thin and frightened. “You wouldn’t humiliate the family like that.”
Ethan looked at the marble floor, at Khloe’s shaking hand, at the heel mark near her wrist.
“The family humiliated itself,” he said. “You just gave the camera a front-row seat.”
Mrs. Alvarez slipped around Vanessa and disappeared into the west wing.
Outside, sirens began to grow in the distance.
May you like
Vanessa looked at the doors. Then at the pool terrace.
And Khloe saw the decision form in her eyes.
