Chapter 4 - The Bank Card
The bank card was still in Claire’s handbag.
Brooke knew it.
Arthur knew it.
That was why they kept looking at the bag hanging from the chair near Claire’s knee.
Claire noticed every glance.
She picked up the handbag and placed it on her lap.
Brooke’s eyes followed the movement like a starving person watching food.
“Claire,” Brooke said, suddenly softer, “I only need it for a few days.”
Claire turned toward her.
“You asked for it permanently.”
Brooke flushed.
“That’s not what I meant.”
Arthur stepped in.
“It is one card.”
“It is my account.”
“It is family money.”
Claire looked at him for a long moment.
“There it is.”
His jaw tightened.
“What?”
“The word you use whenever you want something that isn’t yours.”
Brooke’s face twisted.
Arthur leaned closer.
“Do not humiliate my sister.”
Claire’s cheek throbbed.
Coffee still dripped from one damp strand of blonde hair.
Her blouse clung cold and sticky to her skin.
Still, she sat straighter.
“She asked for my card after you burned me with coffee.”
Brooke’s eyes widened.
“Don’t say burned like that. It sounds intentional.”
Claire looked at Arthur.
“Was it?”
Arthur’s face went rigid.
The camera blinked.
The phone sat face down.
Brooke’s orange juice glass shook in her hand.
Arthur answered too late.
“No.”
Claire nodded once.
“Then you will not mind explaining that to the recording.”
His nostrils flared.
“You planned this.”
Claire’s expression hardened.
“No. I prepared for it.”
That difference silenced him.
Planning meant trapping.
Preparing meant surviving.
He understood the distinction and hated it.
Brooke reached for her purse.
“This is insane. I’m not staying here to be accused.”
Claire looked at her.
“You came here to take my card.”
Brooke’s lips trembled.
“I came because Arthur said you would be reasonable.”
Claire almost smiled.
“Arthur says many things before breakfast.”
Arthur’s fist closed.
Not striking.
Not yet.
But the table saw the movement.
The camera saw it.
Claire saw it.
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And this time, she did not look away.
Read Chapter 5 👉 Because Brooke tried to make the demand sound harmless, but Claire named it clearly enough for the room to change.
