CHAPTER 2 — The Switch
CHAPTER 2 — The Switch
Claire was still crying when the voice came from the floor.
Calm.
Cold.
Almost detached.
“Detective Ruiz…”
The caretaker froze.
Claire blinked.
“…it’s already happened,” the pregnant woman continued.
“Send everyone here immediately.”
Silence fell.
Claire’s sobbing slowed.
“What are you doing?” she snapped. “You’re calling the police on ME?”
The pregnant woman didn’t look up.
She was watching the staircase.
Watching Claire.
Waiting.
Then she whispered again into the phone:
“And activate floor protocol seven.”
A pause.
Then—
From somewhere deep inside the mansion, a faint click echoed.
Claire frowned.
“What was that?”
The pregnant woman finally looked up.
And smiled.
Not warmly.
Not kindly.
Strategically.
“You really shouldn’t have pushed me on this staircase,” she said softly.
The caretaker stepped back.
“What does that mean?”
The answer came immediately.
Because every chandelier in the hallway suddenly blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then turned red.
Hidden cameras embedded in the molding activated.
Recording.
Streaming.
Live.
Claire’s face went pale.
“No… that’s impossible…”
May you like
The pregnant woman exhaled slowly.
“You chose the wrong house,” she said.
