CHAPTER 3 – THE CAMERA NO ONE KNEW ABOUT
The emergency room confirmed what Jake feared.
Second-degree burns.
Untreated ligament damage.
Hairline fractures in Megan's ankle.
The obstetrician looked horrified.
"Another fall like this could have endangered both mother and baby."
Jake felt physically sick.
"I should've protected her."
Detective Sarah Collins arrived the next morning.
"Megan," she said gently, "did anyone witness what happened?"
Megan lowered her eyes.
"No."
Helen had always chosen moments when they were alone.
It seemed impossible to prove.
Until Jake remembered something.
Months earlier he'd installed a small security camera facing the apartment entrance after several package thefts.
The camera also captured part of the living room.
Including the hallway leading toward the kitchen.
Jake rushed home.
His hands shook while scrolling through old recordings.
Then—
There it was.
Helen entering with grocery bags.
Twenty-three minutes later...
The camera recorded Megan stumbling backward into view, screaming in pain while clutching her leg.
Helen followed calmly.
She didn't call an ambulance.
She didn't help.
Instead, the recording clearly captured her voice.
"You'll keep your mouth shut if you know what's good for you."
Jake froze.
But there was more.
Helen grabbed the camera.
She tried turning it toward the wall.
She didn't realize it continued recording audio.
Detective Collins listened to every second.
"This," she said quietly, "is more than enough."
Helen was arrested later that afternoon.
Neighbors watched from their balconies as officers placed handcuffs around her wrists.
She screamed at Jake.
"She's manipulating you!"
Jake never answered.
May you like
He simply walked back inside...
and locked the door.
