And Melissa had no idea they existed.
My stomach twisting, I opened the app.
What I saw made my jaw drop.
The barbecue was not the real problem.
The barbecue was only the tip of the iceberg.
I started reviewing footage from earlier in the week.
Within minutes, I realized Melissa and Jake were not simply visiting my house.
They had moved into it.
The first night after I left, they arrived carrying overnight bags.
The next morning, Jake wandered through my kitchen in boxer shorts while Melissa cooked breakfast.
They ate at my table.
Watched television on my couch.
Used my laundry room.
Used my shower.
Used my kitchen.
Used my entire house like they owned it.
They had been living there for four days already.
I sat frozen in my hotel room while clip after clip played across my screen.
Then another notification appeared on my phone.
It was a message from Melissa.
“Just fed Oliver. He’s doing great!”
I stared at the text.
Then I looked back at the camera footage.
Melissa was currently lounging on my couch with a glass of wine while Jake watched television beside her.
Oliver was nowhere in sight.
The lie was so casual it made my stomach turn.
