Wife confronts husband over secret school project dinner — Then text messages reveal the daughter never even asked him to hide it
Chapter 6 — The Second Confrontation
Heavy footsteps crunched across the gravel path outside.
The front door unlocked with a metallic click.
Jordan walked through the entryway carrying a heavy brown paper grocery bag.
He wore his usual green sweatshirt and looked relaxed.
He kicked the door shut behind him with his heel.
“Hey,” Jordan called out, heading toward the kitchen area. “Traffic was a nightmare on the boulevard.”
Clara stood motionless by the edge of the wooden dining table.
Her hand remained closed tightly around the parking receipt in her pocket.
Jordan tossed his keys onto the counter with a loud clatter.
He reached inside the grocery bag and pulled out a carton of milk.
“I picked up those organic eggs you wanted,” Jordan said, looking up toward the dining room.
His smile faded instantly as he saw Clara’s face.
Clara stepped forward out of the shadows.
She pulled the crinkled thermal paper receipt from her pocket.
She flattened it out across the wooden surface of the dining table with a sharp snap.
“You told me you were working on Harper’s poster board here all afternoon,” Clara said.
Her voice stayed entirely flat and controlled.
Jordan froze with the milk carton still gripped in his hand.
“I was,” Jordan answered, clearing his throat. “I ran out for a quick second to grab craft supplies for the board.”
Clara stared straight into his eyes.
She pointed a single finger directly at the printed ink on the thermal paper.
“This receipt is from a municipal parking garage four miles downtown,” Clara said.
Jordan blinked rapidly.
“Right,” Jordan stammered, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “Near the art store.”
Clara tilted her head toward him.
“The coffee shop printed on this receipt doesn’t sell any craft supplies whatsoever.”
