Chapter 4 - WHY EMILY RECORDED IT
Emily had started recording because Serena had frightened her before.
Not with the cake.
With secrets.
A week earlier, Emily overheard Serena arguing on the phone in the kitchen.
She heard the words “don’t tell James.”
When Emily entered, Serena immediately ended the call.
Then smiled.
“You didn’t hear anything important.”
Emily asked what she meant.
Serena leaned closer.
“Adults have private conversations.”
Later, she told Emily that repeating things could “cause problems for everyone.”
Emily remembered that sentence.
So when she saw Serena holding the tiny vial during party preparation, she recorded instead of asking.
James listened without interrupting.
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
Emily stared at the floor.
“You like her.”
That hurt more than he expected.
“So?”
“She said if I kept making trouble, you’d think I was jealous.”
James closed his eyes.
Serena had used his relationship with her as leverage against his daughter.
When he looked up again, his anger was quieter.
More focused.
“You made her afraid I’d choose you over her.”
Serena shook her head.
“That is not what happened.”
May you like
Emily whispered, “It is.”
And this time James believed her immediately.
