I looked at Daniel’s clenched fists. “Not completely.”
That made him move.
He lunged for my phone, but I stepped back, already pressing the side button. My recording app had been running since Vivian called my soup “peasant water” fifteen minutes earlier. It had captured the strike. It had captured the laughter. It had captured both of them ordering me out.
Soups& Stews
Daniel froze when he noticed the red recording light.
“What is that?” he asked.
“Evidence.”
Vivian’s face tightened. “You manipulative little snake.”
“No,” I said. “Just prepared.”
Because tonight had not been the first time. It was only the first time he had done it hard enough to leave a mark in front of a witness foolish enough to laugh.
For months, I had been building a file. Photos of bruises hidden beneath sleeves. Voice notes of Daniel threatening to “make me disappear financially.” Bank statements showing transfers from my business account into his failed investment scheme. Emails from Vivian advising him to “break her confidence before divorce so she signs cheap.”
They thought I was quiet because I was frightened.
I was quiet because I was documenting.
Daniel stepped nearer, lowering his voice. “End the call, Claire.”
