CHAPTER 2: THE PERFECT HUSBAND
By sunrise, I had learned more about Eric than I had in five years.
Every hospital.
Every urgent care clinic.
Different cities.
Different excuses.
"Kitchen accident."
"Fell downstairs."
"Hit by a cabinet."
Always treated.
Never reported.
Because Sophie always protected him.
Then my grandson spoke.
Six-year-old Noah had barely said a word since arriving at the hospital.
Finally he whispered,
"Daddy says Mommy falls a lot."
Silence filled the room.
He reached into his backpack.
"I drew it."
The picture showed a little boy hiding behind a couch.
A man raising his fist.
A woman crying on the floor.
I stopped breathing.
Then Noah pointed to the corner.
"There's always a camera there."
Police searched Eric's mansion that afternoon.
They found twelve hidden cameras.
Not for security.
For control.
Every room.
Every hallway.
Even Sophie's closet.
But the biggest surprise waited inside Eric's office.
A locked safe.
Inside were divorce papers.
Already signed.
Life insurance documents.
Updated just eight days earlier.
Beneficiary:
Eric Reynolds.
Amount:
Twelve million dollars.
Detective Mason looked at me.
May you like
"He wasn't trying to save his marriage."
"He was preparing to bury your daughter."
