I Let My Stepdaughter Think She’d Taken Over My House

Chloe’s face changed first. Then Michael’s.

Small things. But I saw them.

Her jaw locked.

His eyes shut for one beat too long.

The part Michael kept skipping

The officer’s tone changed after that.

Still polite. Less soft.

“Is there a safe in the house?”

“Yes,” I said. “In the garage workshop.”

“What do you keep in it?”

“Documents. Some cash. Jewelry I don’t continue reading …