Chapter 510


    When she was about to speak up, I quickly shushed her with a finger to my lips, motioning for her to


    follow me out of the room.


    Monique rolled out of bed with a huff and followed me, her small hand in mine as we made our way


    downstairs. She tried to wriggle free, but I held on tight until we reached the living room. That was


    when she yanked her hand away, her chin jutting out defiantly as she confronted me, "Mom, seriously?


    I didn''t think you were like that. Snooping through Fidelia''s phone? Have you been doing the same to


    mine? You''re just a little too controlling."


    Her words came out in a torrent of usation.


    I replied calmly, "It seems you''ve got quite a few grievances with me."


    "It''s not just grievances. I hate this sneaky behavior of yours. You shouldn''t be sneaking around.


    Grandpa said it was above board."


    I couldn''t help but feel a little proud inside. She sure had a strong sense of justice.


    The idea I had discussed with Hannah earlier that afternoon was now unavoidable.


    "What if it was a matter of necessity? What if I had to take a look without tipping anyone off?" I


    suggested.


    She stared at me, dumbfounded.


    "I don''t have a snooping problem," I continued, "But I''ve sensed that someone, a stranger possibly, is


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    getting ufortably close to us. Don''t you think I should figure out who they are and why they''re


    here?"


    Monique looked at me, half-convinced, her tone less sharp, "What do you mean? Are you talking about


    the person sneaking into the backyard?"


    She was alert, instantly picking up on the potential intruder.


    "It might be more than that," I confessed.


    Her curiosity turned to rm, "Are you serious?"


    I paused for a moment, considering how best to exin.


    "When I came back this time, I noticed something off about Fidelia. She''s always distracted, glued to


    her phone, and very cautious. Didn''t you notice anything?" I probed further, "You''re with her every day.


    Haven''t you seen any changes in hertely?"


    With my question hanging in the air, Monique''s defiance waned as she shook her head in disbelief.


    Leaning in close, she whispered, "How did you figure it out?"


    I pulled her onto a wooden chair and began to list the signs of Fidelia''s distraction.


    She listened intently, absorbing everything. I took the opportunity to teach her how to pick up on subtle


    cues in someone''s behavior. Monique was a keen learner with good instincts, and she just needed to


    lose a bit of naivety. My words seemed to win her over.


    "Did Fidelia ever take her vlogging very seriously?" I asked gently.


    She frowned in thought, then nodded, "Yeah, she did a whole tour of our old house, exining


    everything. I even helped her."


    "And did you ask why she was filming?"


    "She said it was for Cami," Monique answered quickly, "To show Cami what an old home looks


    like. There''s nothing wrong with that, right? She said Cami had never seen anything like it."


    "But did you make sure she actually sent it to Cami?"


    Monique shook her head.


    "Cat eye?" She looked puzzled.


    She nodded, "Sure."


    I reminded her, "But don''t ask too directly. Be subtle. you know what I mean?"


    She rolled her eyes with a touch of sass, "Mom, you underestimate me. I''ll handle it by tomorrow."


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    "But what if she doesn''t want to talk about this person?"


    Monique''s eyes twinkled as she confidently assured me, "Don''t worry, Mom. I''ll get the truth out of her."


    Monique stood tall, filled with a sense of responsibility, "OK."