Chapter 5 - The Audio Revealed
Parker scowled, crossing his arms over his chest tightly. "I don't have time for your games, Clarissa. My mother and sister are waiting in my car right now. I'm bringing them back inside, and you're going to apologize to them."
"If you bring them back into this house, I am calling the police immediately," I said, my voice deadpan and serious. "Sit down and listen to this audio. If you still think I'm the one who owes an apology after hearing it, I will pack my bags and leave myself."
Parker hesitated. Something in my cold, unwavering eyes stopped him in his tracks. He scoffed loudly to save face, but he walked over to the armchair and sat down heavily. "Fine. Play whatever nonsense you have. But this doesn't excuse how you treated my mother."
I tapped the screen on my phone. The high-definition recording began to play clearly through the living room speakers via Bluetooth.
The ambient sound of the kitchen filled the room, followed by the distinctive sound of silver utensils scraping against porcelain.
Then, Alana’s voice blasted through the room:
"Make sure you cut that potato in half so it looks like a full meal. If he cries, tell him children who aren't blood relatives don't get real meat until they earn their keep."
Parker’s eyes widened slightly. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, but kept his mouth shut.
Then came Ellie’s voice, sharp, cruel, and dripping with venom:
"Mom, look at him. He’s actually sitting in the corner like a stray dog. Parker is so stupid for letting Clarissa bring this baggage into our family. Once Parker takes over the title to this country house, we can kick Clarissa and her little charity case out for good."
Parker froze completely. The color drained from his face at a terrifying speed. He stared at the phone in my hand as if it were a venomous snake.
The recording continued playing. Alana’s voice returned, calm, calculating, and cold:
"Don't worry. Parker is already listening to me. I’ve been telling him for months that Clarissa spends all her extra income on Dustin and neglects him. Slowly but surely, we're convincing him to move the deed of this place into his name for 'tax benefits.' Once the papers are signed, Clarissa won't have a leg to stand on."
Ellie chuckled on the recording. "I can't wait to see the look on her face when we change the locks. Mason deserves the master bedroom upstairs anyway."
I hit the pause button.
The living room fell into a heavy, suffocating silence. The only sound was the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock and Parker’s rapid, shallow breathing.
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I stood over him, my phone resting in my hand. "Do you want to hear the rest, Parker? There are thirty more minutes of them discussing how to manipulate you into getting money from my savings account."
Parker stared at the floor, his mouth slightly open, completely speechless. The arrogant confidence he had walked in with had vanished entirely, replaced by absolute shock and humiliation.
