Husband left on a business trip, and wife decided to repot flowers. What she found in the pot made her hair stand on end…

«I have a friend in the police,» Vanessa replied evasively. «I think he can help.» «Vanessa, I don’t know what I’d do without you.»

«Don’t say silly things. We’re friends and in a way colleagues. So I’m always ready to help you.»

Vanessa looked at Paula with concern. «But still, be careful. If someone is watching you, it means they need something from you.

And they won’t stop at anything.» «I understand. I’ll try.

But I must find out the truth to figure out who’s behind all this.» Vanessa took her hand and squeezed her palm tightly. «I’ll help you.»

«Thanks, Vanessa,» said Paula, standing up from the table. She left the cafe. It was already dark outside.

The city lived its nightlife, sparkling with lights and filling the air with sounds of cars and music. But Paula noticed nothing around. She thought only of one thing.

Who installed the hidden camera in her house? Anthony? His mom? Is it possible? People I considered close are capable of such betrayal? Need to talk to my husband, find out what’s going on. But what if it’s him? How can I trust after that? Although, maybe I’m just winding myself up? Approaching her house, Paula brushed aside all doubts. She must find out the truth.

Opening the door, she heard a familiar voice. «Oh, here’s our mom finally home.» Paula entered the living room and saw her mother-in-law sitting on the couch with Mikey.

Helen asked Paula in surprise, «What are you doing here? You were supposed to come only tomorrow.» «Well, I brought the grandson back.» «Little Mike spent too much time in the sun and got sunburned,» replied the mother-in-law.

Paula looked at her son. His shoulders were indeed red and inflamed. «Oh, poor child, how did that happen?» «He was running around like a rascal,» replied Helen.

«I couldn’t keep up with him.» «I see,» said Paula, hugging her son. «Now we’ll apply cream to the shoulders and it’ll pass.»

She turned to Helen. «Come to the kitchen, I’ll brew tea now.» «You look pale today,» noticed Helen, looking closely at her daughter-in-law.

«Did something happen or work again?» «Everything’s fine,» replied Paula, trying to hide her excitement. A bit tired. «But I see something’s wrong,» said Helen.

«You can tell me, I’m always ready to listen.» «Thanks, but really everything’s good,» replied Paula and served her mother-in-law a cup of tea and a tray with pastries. «Help yourself, it’s from yesterday, but still tasty.»

«Thanks, Paula.» She took the cream from the cabinet and went to the children’s room to apply it to Mike’s shoulders. «I can’t show her that I know something.

Need to act naturally, otherwise she’ll suspect something,» thought Paula on the way to her son. She applied the cream to his shoulders. «There, buddy, now it’ll be easier.»

«Thanks, mom,» replied the little one. «You’re like a wizard to me. And this isn’t cream, but magic potion.

I saw it in a cartoon.» «You say that.» «Okay, play, and I’ll go talk to grandma,» said Paula and returned to the kitchen.

There’s so much work accumulated at the cottage, — complained Helen. «Need to fix the fence, patch the roof on the house, and Anthony has no time, disappearing at work.» «I understand,» replied Paula, trying not to show her excitement.

«Anthony has a tough period now, forced business trip. The boss wants to put him in a new position. Maybe everything will work out.

And I think then he can help. I hope so too, otherwise I can’t cope alone.» Paula waited a while, then resolutely approached the table, opened the top drawer and took out the camera.

With a heavy sigh, she placed it right in front of her mother-in-law on the countertop. Helen almost dropped the teacup in surprise. She stared at the unfamiliar thing as if seeing an alien artifact.

The mother-in-law slowly raised her gaze to Paula, who stood opposite with arms crossed on her chest. «What is this?» Paula watched her reaction closely. In her mother-in-law’s eyes, there was genuine bewilderment and real fear.

«This, Helen, — said she quietly but firmly, — is a hidden video camera. And I found it in my house, in a flower pot.» The mother-in-law continued to look bewildered.

«A camera? Here? What are you talking about? I don’t understand what you’re saying!» Paula saw that her mother-in-law was really in shock. There was no hint of lie in her voice, no slightest pretense. Paula took a deep breath and softened her tone.

«Sorry if I scared you, I’m just confused. I needed to share with someone.» Helen, recovering from the initial shock, looked at her with concern.

«But why would someone install this camera in your home? I don’t know myself,» replied Paula. «That’s the problem.» The mother-in-law touched her hand trustingly.

«Don’t worry, Anthony will return, we’ll figure it out. He’s smart, he’ll think of something.» Paula saw sincere sympathy and support in her mother-in-law’s eyes.

«Thanks.» At that moment, she clearly understood that Helen was not involved in installing the camera. She knows too little about all sorts of gadgets, and her reaction was more than sincere.

Paula got up from the chair. «Sorry again, I shouldn’t have suspected you, I just lost my head.» «It’s okay, don’t be sad,» replied the mother-in-law.

«I understand everything. It’s hard for you, but you need to be strong.» Paula nodded and glanced at the camera lying on the table.

Only one suspect remained — her husband. Of course, Paula understood perfectly that the conversation with him would be difficult, but she had to talk to him. «I’ll go call Anthony.»

«Okay,» replied Helen, — «and I’ll stay with Mike for now, don’t worry. Although, listen, it’s late already, probably I’ll stay overnight. Buses aren’t running anymore, and paying triple for a taxi.»

Paula left the kitchen and went to the balcony. The cool night air hit her face, brought her to her senses a bit. She took out her phone and dialed Anthony.

Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest. Beep, another beep. Her husband didn’t pick up for a long time.

«Come on, Anthony, answer,» whispered Paula, nervously biting her lip. Finally, a familiar voice sounded in the speaker. «Hello,» he said irritably.

Paula froze. In the background, loud music and someone’s cheerful laughter were clearly heard. «Anthony, hi,» said Paula, trying to speak as calmly as possible.

«Paula, what happened? Something with Mike? Or mom’s blood pressure up again?» «They’re fine, but I need to talk to you, it’s very important.» «Paula, not now,» cut off her husband. «I’m busy.

Let’s tomorrow. Around nine in the morning, okay?» «No, Anthony, it can’t wait,» said Paula, raising her voice. «I have to tell you something.»..