WHILE VISITING MY FUTURE IN-LAWS, I SAW MY SIL LOOKING PALE AND EXHAUSTED, EATING WATERY OATMEAL. AS I LEFT, SHE SECRETLY SLIPPED ME A NOTE: “COME BACK AT 10 P.M. YOU WILL SEE WHAT YOU NEED TO SEE!”

carrying into the night.

Richard spoke first.

“You embarrassed your mother today.”

Emily answered quietly. “I didn’t say anything.”

“That’s exactly the problem,” Victoria snapped. “You let Claire stare at you like some pathetic victim.”

Then I heard Daniel.

My stomach tightened.

He hadn’t gone home.

“She won’t be a problem,” he said. “Claire asks questions, but she’ll learn.”

Victoria laughed.

“They all learn.”

I began recording.

Inside, Emily stood beside the kitchen table while Richard held a folder.

He slapped it down in front of her.

“Sign.”

“I already