When Emma and Mark began planning a short trip out of town, Mark didn’t hesitate for a second. Lena should stay, he insisted. She knew the house, she knew their son Noah, and everything would be fine. Emma’s chest tightened.
She suggested other options — friends, relatives, anyone else — but Mark was confused by her sudden hesitation. Emma couldn’t explain her fear without sounding irrational. After all, she had no proof, only a nagging feeling she couldn’t shake. In the end, they agreed Lena would house-sit, and Emma quietly activated every security camera in the house, telling herself it was just for peace of mind.
For the first few days, the footage showed nothing unusual. Lena cleaned, cooked, followed routines perfectly. Emma even began to feel embarrassed for doubting her. Maybe she had been paranoid. Maybe stress had gotten the better of her. Then one night, a notification appeared on her phone at 2:17 a.m. Lena wasn’t asleep.
She stood alone in the living room, holding Emma’s wedding photo. Her face was blank, almost expressionless. Slowly, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. She began taking pictures — of the photo, of the hallway, of Noah’s bedroom door. Emma’s blood turned to ice as she watched.
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