Chapter 1

Early in the morning, my husband's sister-in-law, Claire Bennett, called.

She said she had a doctor's appointment and asked if I could look after her seven-year-old son, Caden Sharpe.

I was about to agree when strange subtitles flashed before my eyes.

[Don't you dare say yes! That boy is pure evil.]

[The monster will kill your daughter, and then you'll be silenced by her and her husband.]

*****

I froze right there, watching as a barrage of pop-up messages kept flooding in.

[She's not going to the hospital; she's traveling with her sisters. If you agree, she'll leave that little monster with you for days!]

[That devil will get annoyed by your daughter's crying during TV and smother her with a pillow when you're not watching.]

If you confront them, they'll beat you, throw you off a balcony, and fake suicide, and your husband and in-laws will lie to them.

Noticing I hadn't answered, Claire said again.

"Evelyn, I'll only be gone for the morning. Just keep an eye on Caden for me, okay? I'll bring him over right now."

I took a deep breath and said apologetically,

"Sorry, Claire, Anya is sick and fussy. I can't handle two kids now, and I don't want Caden to catch it."

Claire's voice suddenly went cold.

"Evelyn, I wouldn't normally bother you, but I really have no choice this time. I'll get Caden as soon as I'm back!"

I said, "Claire, I want to help, but Anya's very sick. I can't care for both kids now."

I walked over to the crib and pulled out Anya's pacifier.

Her lips quivered, and she burst into loud, frantic cries.

"Claire, Anya's crying. I'll call you back later!"

"Wait, don't—"

I quickly hung up the phone.

Claire's place wasn't far from mine, just a ten-minute drive.

On weekends and holidays, we'd often get together for meals or outings.

We weren't close but stayed civil.

I knew saying no would permanently damage our relationship.

I couldn't risk my life or my daughter's safety on those warnings.

I thought Claire would just give up after I turned her down.

Minutes later, she texted that she and Caden were nearly at my place.

My temper flared out of nowhere.

I silenced my phone, calmed Anya, put her to sleep, and closed the bedroom door.

Just after I settled Anya and closed the door, Claire called.

I hung up and shot her a quick text.

[Sorry, Claire. Anya's fever spiked, so I took her to the hospital. No one's home now.]

Claire kept calling, but I hung up and texted her again.

[Anya just napped. Please text me, not call, to avoid waking her.]

Claire asked, [Evelyn, are you not home or just ignoring me?]

She was clearly ready to drop all pretenses and start a fight.

Fine, if she wants to go there, then bring it on.

I've never been able to stand her anyway.

Claire was always pushy and took advantage whenever possible.

She kept complaining to my husband and me about tight money.

When families dined or hung out, my husband and I usually paid.

When she brought Caden, she'd raid our kitchen, grab snacks, and always take something home.

My husband said he earned more than his brother, Keith Sharpe, so the loss didn't bother him.