Chapter 13 - The Confrontation
Daniel took the seat across from me, casually crossing his legs. He didn't offer a hug or a word of comfort. He simply stared at me, evaluating my pale, makeup-free face and the oversized clothes that made me look frail.
"You look terrible," he said smoothly, removing his sunglasses. "Are you finally ready to confess to the police? Is that what this is? The guilt is eating you alive."
I kept my hands folded tightly in my lap, forcing my voice to tremble just a little.
"I know you were at the lake house, Daniel," I said softly.
A brief, sharp flash of fear crossed his face, instantly replaced by a cruel, mocking laugh. He leaned back in his chair, completely relaxed.
"You're heavily medicated," he sneered, dismissing me entirely. "The doctors told me you're having delusions. You were passed out drunk in a motel room, remember? The police have your credit card receipts."
"I heard Emma’s watch recording," I said, dropping the trembling act entirely. My voice became flat, cold, and razor-sharp.
Daniel froze. The smug smile vanished from his lips.
I leaned forward, closing the distance between us, staring directly into his panicked eyes.
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"I heard the twelve-second upload," I continued, speaking clearly for the detectives listening through the wall. "I heard you talking in the hallway outside their bedroom. Why did Vanessa ask you, 'And the children?' What were you planning with her, Daniel?"
Daniel’s hands dropped from his lap. His fingers curled fiercely around the edge of the iron table, his knuckles turning stark white. He looked around the empty garden, suddenly realizing that this wasn't the conversation he had prepared for. The trap had closed.
