The recording played loudly enough for the entire room to hear. David mocking Claire in the kitchen earlier that morning. Margaret calling the baby “leverage.” Discussions about getting Claire to sign over partial ownership of the house before childbirth.

Then came the sound of the assault itself.

The shove. The crash of plates. David’s laughter.

One aunt quietly began crying while David’s brother stared at the floor. Margaret suddenly lunged toward the recorder, but an officer stopped her before she could touch it.

“You recorded us?” David hissed.

Claire finally spoke. “No. I documented you.-