CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
The silent alarm sent a signal to the security company, my phone, and the local police dispatch center.
Margaret did not know that.
Ethan did not know that.
They only saw me standing there, breathing hard, one hand on my stomach, the other gripping my purse.
Margaret held out her palm.
“Card. Now.”
I reached slowly into my bag.
Ethan smiled.
He thought I was surrendering.
Instead, I pulled out my phone and held it up.
The recording screen had been running since the moment he locked the door.
His smile vanished.
“You recorded us?”
“You locked a pregnant woman inside a house and demanded her ATM card,” I said. “Yes, Ethan. I recorded you.”
Margaret’s face changed first.
Not fear.
Calculation.
“She’s emotional,” Margaret said quickly. “Pregnancy hormones. We were trying to calm her down.”
I looked toward the ceiling camera in the corner.
“Then the video will show that.”
Ethan’s eyes followed mine.
For the first time all afternoon, he looked uncertain.
Margaret grabbed his arm. “Take the phone.”
He stared at her.
“Take it,” she snapped.
That was the moment I understood something even worse.
This was not Ethan losing control.
This was Margaret giving instructions.
Ethan took one step toward me.
I backed away and raised my voice.
“If you come closer, the police will hear it on the open emergency line.”
He froze.
Margaret whispered, “What emergency line?”
Before I could answer, tires crunched on the driveway outside.
Then came a firm knock at the door.
May you like
“Police. Open the door.”
Ethan turned pale.
