Chapter 1 - The Investigation
"Who is responsible for throwing this child into the garbage?" the officer asked, his voice echoing in the silent hallway.
My mother gasped, pressing a manicured hand to her chest as if she had been physically struck by the question.
"It was just a terrible accident," my father said quickly, stepping in front of her to block the officer's view.
"She must have climbed in there herself while playing hide and seek," Vanessa added, taking a casual sip of her coffee.
I stared at my sister in absolute disgust.
"She was completely unconscious," Marcus growled, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
"A four-year-old does not sedate herself and lock the heavy metal lid from the outside," I told the officer, my voice trembling with rage.
The officer scribbled something in his notepad, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the extravagant birthday decorations.
"Whose birthday is it?" he asked, pointing his pen at the massive pink banner on the wall.
"My daughter Emma," Vanessa answered smoothly, pulling her child closer.
"Emma's birthday is not until next month," I snapped, pointing a shaking finger at my sister.
"Today is Lily's birthday, but they couldn't even bother to buy her a cake."
My mother let out a heavy, dramatic sigh.
"Officer, my daughter has always been prone to these hysterical outbursts," my mother said smoothly.
"She is just stressed about her engagement party today, so she is looking for someone to blame for her own negligence."
I wanted to scream, but I knew anger would only make me look exactly how my mother wanted me to look.
The officer didn't seem convinced by my mother's elegant performance.
He radioed his partner, who was still standing by the dumpsters in the backyard.
"Hey, check the bottom of that second bin for any discarded medication bottles," the officer commanded into his radio.
The room suddenly went deathly quiet.
My father’s newspaper crinkled as his grip tightened around the edges.
Vanessa lowered her coffee cup, her perfect posture stiffening for the first time all morning.
A few agonizing minutes passed before the radio crackled back to life.
"I found a prescription bottle wrapped in a bloody paper towel," the partner's voice echoed through the static.
My heart dropped into my stomach.
"What is the name on the prescription?" the officer asked, staring directly at my mother.
"It's a heavy adult sleep aid," the partner replied.
"And the name on the label is Marcus Vance."
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Everyone in the room turned to look at my fiancé.
Marcus stared back at them, his face draining of all color.
