No money, no custody, no rights. At the bottom is a signature that's supposed to be their mother's, but it looks wrong, shaky, uncertain. Nothing like the bold, confident signature on their school permission slips from years ago. Maya photographs everything with the tablet while Meera keeps watch.

They're running out of time. Victoria and their father will be back soon. As Maya is about to close the safe, she notices something wedged in the back corner. a small USB drive with a label written in their father's handwriting. Security footage. Do not erase.

The twins look at each other. This is it. This is the evidence they need. Maya grabs the USB drive and they move to their father's computer.

The screen requires a password. Maya tries their mother's birthday. Access denied.

She tries their birthday. Access denied. Then she tries something else. the date their parents got married, which she remembers from the certificate she just saw.

June 7th, 2010. She types 06 072010. The computer unlocks. Her hands shake as she inserts the USB drive.

The folder contains dozens of video files, all dated from 2 to 3 years ago. She clicks on the oldest file. The video quality is grainy, but clear enough. It's this office filmed from a camera mounted near the ceiling.

The timestamp shows a date two years ago, one week before their mother disappeared. In the video, their mother enters the office and Victoria follows her. Simone looks upset, her eyes red from crying. Victoria closes the door behind them.

The audio is faint but audible. "Victoria, I know what you're doing," Simone says. "I know you've been spreading lies about me, telling Marcus I'm unstable, calling child protective services with false reports, planting evidence to make me look like a bad mother." Victoria's expression is cold.

I don't know what you're talking about. You're paranoid, Simone. That's the anxiety medication affecting you. Maybe you need a higher dose.

Don't gaslight me. Simone snaps. I know you want my husband. I know you've wanted him since we met, but Marcus loves me. We have a family.

You can't just insert yourself into our lives and expect me to disappear. Victoria laughs and it's a chilling sound. Oh, Simone, poor, naive Simone. You're already disappearing.

Everyone sees it. The episodes at the twins school when you allegedly had a breakdown. The time you supposedly left them alone at the park. The concerning calls to the police about threats you were making.

"It's all documented. Everyone thinks you're losing your mind." "My mind is fine," Simone says desperately. "You're framing me.

You're drugging Marcus. I've seen you put things in his drinks. You're manipulating him, making him doubt me." Victoria steps closer, her voice dropping low.

"You're unstable, Simone. Everyone will believe it. You're already on anxiety medication." A few anonymous calls to child protective services, some concerning incidents at the twins' school blamed on your erratic behavior, and the court will see you're unfit.

And when you're gone, I'll finally have what I deserve. Marcus, the life he can provide. Everything you took from me. You can't do this, Simone whispers, tears streaming down her face.

They're my daughters. I love them. They need me. They need you less than they need stability, Victoria replies coldly.

And I can provide that. You're just an obstacle, Simone. And obstacles get removed. The video cuts off abruptly.

The timestamp shows it was recorded exactly one week before their mother disappeared. Maya and Meera stare at the screen, horror and rage battling in their chests. Victoria planned everything. She deliberately destroyed their mother's credibility, made her look unstable, and then what? made her disappear.

The twins quickly copy the USB drive contents to the tablet, then return everything to the safe exactly as they found it. They close the painting over the safe, make sure the office looks undisturbed, and retreat to their room just minutes before they hear Victoria's car in the driveway. The twins are shaken, but determined. They spend the rest of the afternoon in their room, pretending to play while actually reviewing all the evidence they've gathered.

The medical records showing their mother in a psychiatric hospital. The forged letters, the security footage of Victoria threatening their mother. It all points to something horrifying. Victoria didn't just steal their father and insert herself into their family.

She systematically destroyed their mother's life, had her committed to a mental institution, and has been keeping her there for 2 years. But why hasn't their father done anything? Why does he believe Victoria's lies? That question is answered during dinner.

Victoria prepares their father's meal herself as she always does. She brings him tea just the way he likes it. She's attentive, caring, the picture of a devoted wife. Marcus smiles at her weakly, gratefully, like a man dependent on the only person who takes care of him.

The twins watch Victoria's every move. When she goes to the kitchen to get dessert, Maya follows her, hiding behind the doorframe. She watches Victoria pull out their father's evening tea. But before bringing it to him, Victoria adds something from a small bottle hidden in the spice cabinet.

Just a few drops stirred quickly until it dissolves. Maya's heart pounds. She's drugging him right in front of them night after night, keeping him compliant, confused, dependent. At dinner, Victoria makes her usual racist comments disguised as concern.

Girls, your hair is too wild for tomorrow's gala. We need it straightened, not in those ethnic styles. You need to look presentable. Meera tries to protest.

But mama used to do our hair in twists and braids. We liked it that way. Victoria's smile is sharp. Your mother's choices were inappropriate for your social standing.