Chapter 7
"This is our family's business. You're just an outsider, so keep your nose out of it," Olivia snapped.
Sarah's face darkened. "I'm not here to stick my nose in your family's business.
"I'm worried about the mom and the baby getting hurt. Arthur called me, so I gotta keep an eye on them."
Olivia scoffed coldly. "All of you are taking her side. She acts all pitiful, and you all eat it up.
I looked at her, suddenly feeling calm. "Mom, I couldn't fake this even if I wanted to.
"If you really want to know what I've been eating these past seven days, check the kitchen trash can.
"If you want to see how empty the fridge is, take a look inside.
"And if you want to know how weak I am, Sarah can tell just by looking at me.
"If you really think I'm faking it, then when Arthur gets back, let's all go to the hospital together. Let the doctor be the judge."
Olivia's face twisted. What she really couldn't stand wasn't me crying or throwing a tantrum.
It was me putting everything out in the open for everyone to see.
On the other end of the line, Arthur said, "I've already backed up the security footage from the past few days."
I was stunned.
Olivia's head snapped up. "What security footage?"
Arthur said, "The security cameras in the living room and kitchen. I installed them before I left.
"I was worried Claire might fall if she got up in the middle of the night, and it also helped me keep an eye on Sophia.
"Mom, the cameras caught everything, like you sending the postpartum nurse away on the first day, and clearing out the freezer the next."
Olivia's face went pale. She instinctively glanced toward the corner of the living room.
There was a small camera there.
I always thought it was for keeping an eye on the baby.
Arthur never told me there was a camera in the kitchen too.
Maybe he didn't want me to feel uncomfortable, so he never mentioned it.
But right now, for the first time, I felt like that tiny camera had saved me.
Because it didn't record speculation. It captured the truth.
Olivia suddenly raised her voice. "Are you really spying on your own mother?"
Arthur replied, "I'm protecting my wife and my child. That's my job.
"If you haven't done anything you need to feel guilty about, then it's nothing more than a baby monitor."
Olivia gripped the suitcase handle so tightly her knuckles turned white.
She couldn't keep pretending it was a couple of boxes of soup anymore.
She couldn't say I was stirring up drama or tattling on her.
The doorbell rang again. This time, it was the postpartum nurse.
She stood at the doorway, carrying her bags, and hesitated for a second as she picked up on the tense vibe in the room.
Arthur said over the phone, "Let her in."
Olivia immediately blocked the doorway. "I've told you already, I'm not letting any strangers move into this house."
The postpartum nurse didn't force her way in. She looked at me.
I gripped the back of the chair and spoke, my voice steady but tired. "Come in."
Olivia whipped around and glared at me hard.
I looked her straight in the eye, enunciating every word. "This is my home. I'm hiring someone to look after me and my baby. I don't need your permission."
Olivia's face twisted with humiliation, like she'd just been stripped bare in front of everyone.
Before she could blow up, the elevator chimed in the hallway.
A familiar female voice rang out, urgent and clear, "Claire."
My mom showed up at the door, still clutching her phone.
She saw my face, pale as a ghost, the bare dining table, and the suitcase by Olivia's feet.
She froze right there. And then, her tears fell. "Claire, where's the soup I made for you?"