Daniel didn’t hesitate before pressing the call button. He turned the volume up and deliberately set the phone on speaker, placing it on the coffee table between him and Marian.
“I want you to hear everything,” he said quietly to her.
Marian nodded, though unease tightened her chest. She folded her hands together, forcing herself to stay calm.
The call connected on the second ring.
“Hi, Daniel,” Elise purred, her voice unnaturally soft, almost husky. “How are you? It’s good that you called.”
Daniel frowned immediately. Something about her tone felt off—too intimate, too practiced.
“I’m okay, Elise,” he replied evenly. “I called to let you know we’re back from Disneyland and back at my house. Isabella is fine. She’s resting.”
There was a pause on the other end. Not concern. Not relie
