I pushed open the kitchen door.
The laughter stopped instantly.
Ryan stood beside the table with his phone in his hand.
His grandfather was leaning toward the screen.
Both of them stared at me.
Ryan’s expression changed immediately.
“Vanessa.”
I placed the wine bottle on the counter.
Very carefully.
“What did you record?”
Neither man answered.
“What did you record, Ryan?”
His grandfather leaned back.
“I think I should go.”
“No.”
My voice came out sharper than I expected.
“You’re staying.”
Ryan locked his phone.
That tiny movement told me everything I needed to know.
I held out my hand.
“Give it to me.”
“Vanessa, you’re misunderstanding.”
“Give me your phone.”
“It’s not what you think.”
I laughed.
“Do men take a class where they learn to say that?”
“Can we talk privately?”
“No.”
Grandpa stood.
“Maybe you two should—”
I turned toward him.
“You were just watching a video of me that I didn’t know existed.”
His face reddened.
“I didn’t realize—”
“You literally asked whether I knew he’d recorded it.”
He looked at Ryan.
Ryan said nothing.
That was when his grandfather’s expression changed.
Not embarrassment anymore.
Understanding.
“Ryan.”
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