Meanwhile, Mark handled everything.
The funeral home, the church, and the paperwork.
Every time someone asked me a question, my husband answered on my behalf.
At the time, I thought he was protecting me.
I didn’t know the truth yet.
Those first few days after we lost Ava, I kept replaying that morning in my head, trying to understand how my healthy little girl could suddenly become so sick.
One night after the funeral home meeting, I finally mustered the strength to ask Mark directly.
My husband shook his head immediately. “Not anything I know of. Just her normal breakfast, like I told the school and paramedics.”
Then he sat beside me on the couch and took my hand.
“Emily, please don’t do this to yourself. The doctors said these reactions can happen fast.”
At that time, I thought he was on my side.
Looking back now, I realize he answered too quickly, as if he’d already rehearsed the lie.
Five days after the funeral, I sat alone in the living room, barely moving, wearing the same oversized sweatshirt I’d slept in for two straight days. I hadn’t eaten in days because Jenna had to return to work.
The house felt painfully quiet without Ava.
No cartoons, toys on the floor, or a tiny voice asking for apple juice.
Then my phone rang.
It was Miss Greenwood again.
“Mrs. Carter… I’m sorry to bother you. I don’t even know how to explain this. I was reviewing the security footage and rewatching the day Ava got sick…” she started, her voice trembling.
My heart started pounding.
Greenwood hesitated before clearing her throat.
“I’m going to send the security footage to your phone as soon as I copy it. Please watch it. I feel uncomfortable saying this, but… your husband is lying to you.”
My stomach twisted, and the room suddenly felt cold.
A few minutes later, the video arrived.
My hands shook as I opened the message and pressed play.
Initially, everything looked normal.
Mark helped Ava out of the car at the daycare while she held her stuffed rabbit against her chest.
Then a woman stepped into the frame. She was tall, brunette, and wearing a cream-colored coat.
She smiled at my daughter as if she already knew her.
I frowned immediately.
