Chapter 4: The Whole Recording

Tyler arrived at the Hartwell family table with his phone in his hand.

The relatives gathered close enough to see the screen.

Laurel stood beside Brynn, near the end of the table.

Brynn came around the table and reached for Tyler.

'Tyler, delete that video.'

He moved out of reach.

'I said I'd bring the whole recording,' he said.

'You don't get to show everyone whatever you want.'

'You had your chance to tell them what happened.'

Brynn looked toward Laurel, then at the relatives closing in around the phone.

'You said this was just between us.'

'I said I would bring the recording,' Tyler replied.

He tapped the screen before Brynn could try again.

The party filled the phone's display.

Music played beneath the voices, and someone laughed near the camera.

I recognized the crowded dessert table.

Tyler's recording had caught more than I wanted to see.

Brynn appeared at the edge of the frame, pale sleeves pushed to her elbows.

She checked the people around her.

Then she opened a small packet and tipped its contents over the dessert.

Crushed peanuts fell across the topping.

A relative leaned closer to Tyler's phone.

Someone behind me said Brynn's name, but she kept watching the video.

In the recording, Brynn set the packet down and walked away.

The family had spent the night asking why I caused trouble.

I wanted them to understand I had been trying to survive, not steal their attention.

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