Chapter 5 - The Recording
After Jake saw the bruises and the bracelet, he did not confront Lorraine further.
His military training had taught him that anger could destroy evidence.
He stepped between Lorraine and the bed, unlocked his phone, and called emergency services.
Lorraine tried to leave.
Jake moved in front of the doorway without touching her.
“Stay where you are.”
“You cannot trap me here.”
“The operator can hear everything, Mom.”
Lorraine’s expression shifted again.
She lowered her voice.
“Jake, think carefully. Megan has been manipulating you for months.”
Megan stared at the bracelet in her palm.
“I pulled it off when she tried to take my phone,” she whispered.
Lorraine pointed at her.
“That is not true.”
Megan looked at Jake.
“She came into the bedroom after you called from the airport. She knew you were coming home. She said I had one chance to leave before you arrived.”
Jake turned toward Lorraine.
“How did you know I called from the airport?”
Lorraine opened her mouth but did not answer.
Only then did she realize her mistake.
Jake had never told her where he was when he called.
Megan reached slowly beneath the pillow and removed a small audio recorder.
Alicia had given it to her during the previous appointment. Megan had turned it on after Lorraine entered the room.
Jake pressed the playback button.
Lorraine’s voice filled the bedroom.
When Jake comes home, he will see exactly what I want him to see.
Then Megan’s voice:
You sent him those photographs.
A pause followed.
Lorraine answered.
I gave my son the truth he needed.
You made it look like I was having an affair.
I made it look believable.
Jake closed his eyes.
The recording continued.
Megan asked why Lorraine wanted to destroy their marriage.
Lorraine’s answer was calm.
Because you convinced him to change everything. His insurance, his savings, the house. Before you, I was his family. Now you’re carrying a child who will take what should have been mine.
The room felt colder.
Jake remembered the financial documents Megan had asked him to update before deployment. He had changed the beneficiary of an old policy from Lorraine to Megan and their unborn child. It had seemed normal and responsible.
Lorraine had seen it as a theft.
Sirens sounded outside.
Lorraine rushed toward the hall.
Two police officers appeared before she reached the apartment door.
She turned to Jake.
“You would choose her over your own mother?”
May you like
Jake looked at Megan, who was still shaking on the bed.
“No,” he said. “I’m choosing the truth over you.”
