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Chapter 6 - The Dark Obsession Revealed

Ethan didn't flinch under Clara’s venomous glare. He flipped open Clara’s laptop, tapping furiously on the trackpad to display her recent internet history and photo archives. The projector connected to the living room television flickered to life, casting a harsh, glaring light onto the wall behind them.

"Look at the search history," Ethan demanded, pointing at the screen. "Countless queries for 'most realistic silicone pregnancy bellies,' 'how to fake morning sickness symptoms by week,' and 'what to say at a baby shower when people touch your belly.' She practiced every single line, every single wince, every single tear."

Elena let out a heartbroken cry, sinking onto the arm of the sofa. "Clara... why? Why would you do this to us? To your family?"

Clara sneered, her mask completely gone. "Because you all only cared about me when I was pregnant! When I had a baby coming, everyone paid attention! But that’s not even the worst of it," Clara spat, glaring at Ethan as if daring him to speak further.

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Ethan turned back to the crowd, his expression grim. "That’s why I had to punch her today. I didn't care about the money she stole, and I didn't care about the fake belly. I had to stop her before 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning." Ethan’s voice cracked with emotion. "Last week, I followed her. Security footage from St. Jude’s Maternity Hospital shows she’s been visiting the teen pregnancy support wing for two months, pretending to be an expectant mother in crisis."

Silence fell over the room once more, heavier and more terrifying than before. Ethan pulled up screenshots from the hospital’s security cameras. The images clearly showed Clara trailing closely behind a young, visibly vulnerable teenager—a girl who sat alone in the hospital cafeteria, visibly isolated and terrified. Clara had befriended her under false pretenses, earning the young girl's complete trust, walking her to her car, and playing the role of a supportive, loving older mentor.

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