For once, Mark seemed to understand that his explanations would not be enough.
Then Detective Harris returned, holding his phone.
“We’ve received confirmation that the house has a security system. The footage is being preserved, and an officer is arranging to obtain it.”
Mark’s expression changed.
“Why? What does that have to do with anything?”
Eleanor turned toward him.
“Because your son deserves a fair investigation, Mark. And if the evidence supports his account, you will have to face the consequences of refusing to hear him.”
Mark looked away.
Then his phone rang.
Lydia’s name appeared on the screen.
He answered.
“Lydia? What’s happening?”
Her voice was loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
“Mark, you need to get Noah under control! Your mother is there, isn’t she? She’s going to turn this into some huge investigation because she thinks she’s still in charge of everything.”
Mark said nothing.
Lydia continued.
“Listen to me. Don’t let them take that boy’s side. He attacked me, and everyone needs to understand that.”
Detective Harris raised his eyebrows.
Eleanor remained perfectly still.
Then Lydia said something that made Mark’s face drain of color.
“Besides, if anyone asks why I went upstairs in the first place, you tell them the same thing we agreed on.”
Mark slowly lowered the phone.
“What did you just say?” he whispered.
The call had not ended.
And somewhere on the other end, Lydia was still talking.
For the first time that night, Mark began to wonder whether the woman he had defended for years had been telling him the truth at all.
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