Chapter 4 - Stepping Into the Lion's Den
The next morning, instead of going straight to the police, I realized we needed to retrieve Megan’s personal documents—her passport, birth certificate, Sophie’s school records, and bank statements—before Richard realized what we were planning. If we went to the cops first, Richard would get tipped off, lock down the accounts, and make leaving legally a nightmare.
Megan begged me not to go back to the house, but I insisted. We needed those papers.
We pulled into the circular driveway of the sprawling suburban house in the upscale Dublin suburb of Columbus around 10:00 AM. Richard’s luxury SUV was parked in the garage, meaning he was home. Mom’s car was there too.
“Stay in the car with Sophie,” I told Megan, unlocking my glove compartment to ensure my phone was recording audio.
I walked up to the front door and pushed the doorbell. Within seconds, the heavy oak door swung open. It wasn't Richard who answered, but my mother. Her face was tight with anxiety and anger.
“What are you doing here?” Mom hissed, trying to block the doorway. “Richard is furious. He spent the entire night yelling about that phone video. He knows Sophie took it.”
“Good. Then he knows we aren't stupid,” I said, pushing past her into the foyer. “I’m here for Megan’s belongings and Sophie’s clothes. We are packing a bag, and Megan is staying with me from now on.”
“You are destroying this family!” Mom cried, following me down the hallway. “You always have to meddle! If you force her to leave, Richard will cut her off completely! She’ll have nothing!”
“Better to have nothing and be alive than live in a golden cage with a monster,” I retorted, heading straight for the master bedroom.
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Before I could reach the bedroom door, it flew open. Richard Hale stood there in a tailored silk bathrobe, his face bearing angry red scratches across his cheek. His expression was cold, calculating, and dripping with false innocence.
“Claire,” Richard said, his voice disturbingly calm. “I think you’re trespassing in my home. And I think you’re harboring stolen property—my stepdaughter’s illegal recording.”
