“No,” I said, dialing emergency services. “I’m calling the police.”
His expression shifted, but only for a second.
Fifteen minutes later, their world started to collapse…
Part 2
Daniel recovered fast. Men like him always did. He laughed loudly, far too loudly, and poured himself more wine.
“Go ahead,” he said. “Tell them your husband got angry over soup. See who believes you.”
Vivian stood behind him like a queen mother watching a servant receive punishment. “And when they leave, pack your bags. I will not have police drama in my son’s home.”
I kept the phone pressed to my ear and my eyes fixed on Daniel. “My husband struck me across the face. I’m in my apartment. I need officers here now.”
The dispatcher asked whether I was safe.
I looked at Daniel’s clenched fists. “Not completely.”
That made him move.
He lunged for my phone, but I stepped back, already pressing the side button. My recording app had been running since Vivian called my soup “peasant water” fifteen minutes earlier. It had captured the strike. It had captured the laughter. It had captured both of them ordering me out.
Daniel froze when he noticed the red recording light.
“What is that?” he asked.
“Evidence.”
Vivian’s face tightened. “You manipulative little snake.”
“No,” I said. “Just prepared.”
