Chapter 2 - The Blue Light Beneath the PianoThomas Bell had spent eleven years protecting wealthy families.
He had witnessed arguments over inheritance, drunken celebrations, broken engagements, and children crying for parents who barely noticed them.
But he had never seen a grown woman speak to a toddler the way Celeste Hart had spoken to Lily.
And he had never been so afraid of what his own silence might mean.
He crouched beside the damaged piano.
The black receiver lay between scattered flower stems.
A tiny blue light pulsed steadily.
Recording.
"Don't touch that."
Edward Collins's voice came sharply from behind him.
Thomas looked up.
"Why?"
"Because it's private property."
Thomas glanced toward Julian, who was rocking Lily near the doorway.
The child had begun to settle, though occasional sobs still shook her body.
"Isn't everything in this room private property?" Thomas asked.
Edward's jaw tightened.
"Leave it alone."
Celeste stepped toward them.
"What are you two whispering about?"
Thomas stood.
"There's a recording device."
Her expression changed.
Only for a second.
But Thomas saw it.
"That's Lily's nursery monitor," she said quickly. "I moved it down here because she wouldn't stop crying."
Julian turned.
"You moved her nursery camera into the music room?"
Celeste lifted her chin.
"For her safety."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because you haven't been home enough to notice anything."
The words landed exactly where she intended.
For months, Julian had been traveling between New York and Boston, trying to stabilize the manufacturing company his family had built.
He had convinced himself that providing security meant protecting his daughter.
Celeste had offered to manage the household.
Edward had assured him that the estate remained safe.
Julian had accepted both assurances.
Now Lily trembled whenever Celeste spoke.
He looked down at her.
A faint reddish mark circled part of her wrist.
His stomach tightened.
"Who grabbed her?"
Celeste blinked.
"What?"
"Her wrist."
"She probably caught it on the piano."
Julian gently turned Lily's hand.
She pulled away with a frightened sound.
He stopped immediately.
"Okay, sweetheart. I won't touch it."
He kissed her forehead.
"Thomas, call the pediatrician. I want her examined today."
Edward stepped forward.
"Sir, perhaps we should discuss this privately before involving outsiders."
Julian looked at him.
"Outsiders?"
"Misunderstandings happen."
"My daughter has a mark on her wrist, and she's terrified."
Edward lowered his voice.
"An incident like this could damage the family."
Julian stared at him.
"Which incident?"
Edward said nothing.
"The one where Celeste frightened my daughter?" Julian continued. "Or the one where I destroyed a piano?"
Celeste's eyes flashed.
"You're finally admitting what you did."
"Yes."
The answer surprised her.
"I lost control," Julian said. "That was wrong. And I'm not going to hide it."
For the first time, Celeste seemed uncertain.
Julian turned toward Thomas.
"Photograph the damaged piano before anyone moves it. Don't touch the receiver."
Edward stepped between them.
"Security equipment falls under my authority."
"Not anymore."
Julian shifted Lily against his shoulder.
"Thomas will document it. You can stay here without touching anything."
Edward's expression hardened.
"You can't simply remove my authority without considering—"
"Watch me."
Celeste pulled out her phone.
"This is ridiculous. I'm calling Warren."
Julian stopped.
His older brother, Warren Mercer, managed the trust Claire had established for Lily before her death.
Warren had also recommended Edward for his position.
And he had introduced Julian to Celeste.
"Why would Warren need to be involved?" Julian asked.
Celeste's lips parted.
Then closed.
"Because he's the only person in this family who thinks rationally."
Julian studied her.
A new uneasiness crawled beneath his anger.
He had expected excuses.
He had expected denial.
But not an immediate call to his brother.
Behind the piano, Thomas carefully photographed the receiver without moving it.
Its small screen had cracked during the fall.
Yet the display remained active.
He leaned close enough to read the notification.
Six saved recordings.
All created during the previous nineteen days.
Thomas swallowed.
He looked toward Celeste.
She was still holding her phone.
Then, quietly, she glanced at the receiver.
And Thomas understood why she wanted Warren.
Someone had been recording Lily's distress.
Not once.
May you like
Not accidentally.
Six separate times.
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