"Dad?"
Marcus looked up.
"What's up, buddy?"
Mason hesitated.
"Does Lily eat lunch when you're at work?"
Marcus frowned.
"Of course. Why?"
The boy stared at the floor.
"I was just wondering."
Marcus smiled.
"Vanessa makes sure you both have everything you need."
Mason looked toward the hallway.
His mother was standing near the staircase.
She hadn't said anything.
But she was watching.
The boy swallowed.
Then nodded.
"Okay."
He returned to his room.
That evening, Vanessa entered without knocking.
She closed the door.
Then looked at him.
"What were you asking Marcus?"
Mason sat upright.
"Nothing."
She folded her arms.
"Don't lie."
He looked down.
"I asked about Lily's lunch."
Vanessa's expression became cold.
For several seconds, she studied him.
Then she spoke quietly.
"If you keep trying to make me look bad, you'll ruin this family."
Mason's throat tightened.
He loved Marcus.
Marcus attended his school events, helped him build model airplanes, and had promised to teach him how to drive when he was old enough.
The boy couldn't imagine losing him.
Vanessa seemed to understand that.
She leaned closer.
"Do you want Marcus to leave us?"
Mason shook his head.
"No."
"Then stop causing problems."
She walked out.
And Mason sat on his bed for nearly an hour, wondering whether telling the truth could somehow destroy the only stable family he'd known.
The first recording happened by accident.
Mason had been using his phone to film a model car he'd built for a school technology project. He placed it on a shelf near the dining room so he could capture the wheels moving across the floor.
The phone was still recording when Vanessa entered the kitchen.
Lily followed her.
"Can I have lunch?"
Vanessa sighed.
"You already asked."
Lily stood beside the table.
"My tummy hurts."
"Then drink water."
The girl looked toward the refrigerator.
Mason heard her whisper.
"Can I have my sandwich?"
Vanessa turned.
Her expression changed.
Then she walked toward the dining table and placed an empty plate in front of Lily.
"Sit down."
The child obeyed.
For several seconds, Vanessa studied her.
Then she reached into her pocket and removed her own phone.