A few weeks after the second miscarriage, Diane began bringing home-cooked meals over every single week, entirely unprompted. She delivered hearty casseroles, soups, and her famous lasagna. “You two are working far too hard to eat properly,” Diane insisted, handing over the heavy dishes. Renata thanked her warmly every time, offering a polite smile that never reached her eyes.
David soon noticed that the large containers were emptied remarkably fast. One evening, he carried the heavy outdoor trash bin to the curb and noticed a strange, plastic-wrapped bundle at the bottom. He tore it open to find his mother’s signature tuna casserole, completely untouched. “This makes absolutely no sense,” he muttered, staring at the discarded food.
He kept the discovery to himself, inventing logical excuses like spoiled ingredients or an accidental spill. Perhaps Elena spilled some and threw it away so as not to be caught for being incompetent. Yet, the mystery nagged at him until he secretly ordered a small camera online. He mounted it discreetly above the back door, positioned to view the kitchen window. He told himself it was merely for home security, refusing to examine his true, distrustful motives.