Chapter 3: The Woman Who Lied
The next few days became a battle.
Amanda stopped pretending.
She watched me constantly.
She checked my backpack.
She searched my room.
She even looked through my clothes.
But she never found the device.
Because Dad taught me something important.
Never hide something where people expect you to hide it.
I kept it inside an old toy truck.
The one Dad gave me before he left.
Amanda hated that toy.
She thought it was worthless.
She didn’t know it was protecting me.
One afternoon, I came home from school and heard Amanda talking on the phone.
I stopped outside the kitchen.
“I told you, the boy has something.””
A pause.
“No, I don’t know what’s on it.””
My heart started beating faster.
She was talking about me.
“I need you to help me find it.””
I stepped back quietly.
Then I heard another sentence.
Something that changed everything.
“Because if his father’s recordings get out, we’re finished.””
I almost dropped my backpack.
Recordings.
Plural.
Dad had more.
That night, Lily found me sitting on the floor with the toy truck.
“You’re sad.””
I looked up.
“I’m okay.””
She shook her head.
“You always say that when you’re not.””
I smiled slightly.
“You’re too smart.””
She sat beside me.
“Ethan?””
“Yeah?””
“Does Mom hate you?””
The question hurt.
I didn’t know how to answer.
“I think Mom is scared.””
“Of what?””
I looked at the truck.
“The truth.””
Lily was quiet.
Then she said something I never expected.
“I think Mom lies a lot.””
I turned toward her.
“Why?””
“Because she tells people she loves everyone. But when nobody is watching…”
She lowered her voice.
“She’s different.””
That night, I made a decision.
I would stop hiding.
The next morning, I turned on the device before breakfast.
Amanda walked into the kitchen.
She saw it immediately.
“You’re recording me?””
I looked at her.
“Yes.””
For a second, she looked surprised.
Then she laughed.
“You’re seven years old.””
I stayed silent.
“You think a little recorder will make people believe you?””
She leaned closer.
“Who will they believe? A child or me?””
I felt scared.
But then I remembered Dad’s words.
The truth doesn’t disappear.
Amanda smiled.
“Give it to me.””
“No.””
Her smile vanished.
“Ethan…”
The front door suddenly opened.
Amanda turned.
A man stood there holding a folder.
A man I had never seen before.
He looked at me.
Then at Amanda.
“Is this Ethan?””
Amanda’s face went pale.
Because the stranger said my father’s name next.
“I’m here because your father left instructions.””
May you like
He opened the folder.
“And I think it’s time you knew what he really discovered.””
