July 13, 7:00 PM
[click]
Michael was very kind. He suggested we have dinner with Cynthia and try to mend our relationship. Maybe he’s right, and this is just grief. But I won’t give up. The doll stares at me with its plastic eyes, and I know the woman in vintage clothes is behind this. I have to find her.
[click]
July 14, 9:30 AM
[click]
Talked to Michael for a long time last night. It’s hard to accept, but maybe I really have lost touch with reality. We agreed to go to dinner at Cynthia’s.
[click]
July 14, 12:00 PM
[click]
Found a photo of my daughter with the doll. It was her sixth birthday. I remember Cynthia gave her that doll. That day, she was wearing a long dress with a vintage brooch. Vintage things… She collects them. Could this be a coincidence?
[click]
July 14, 6:19 PM
[click]
We arrived at Cynthia’s for dinner. I went to the bathroom and lingered near her wardrobe. It’s full of vintage clothes! How did I not notice this before? I feel the need to look deeper into the closet.
[sound of clothes rustling, click]
July 14, 6:23 PM
[click, whispers]
Someone’s coming. I need to hide.
Cynthia: Kate? What are you doing in my closet?!
Kate: Cynthia, I…
Cynthia: This is outrageous! Michael! Come here!
Michael: Sweetheart, what’s going on?
Kate: Michael, I can’t explain it, but your mom is somehow involved in this…
Michael: Stop it! Both of you! Let’s go have dinner, and we’ll talk about it later. Okay? Cynthia, I’m sorry for the intrusion.
[sound of footsteps, click]
July 14, 9:00 PM
[click]
Dinner was tense. I can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong. As I lay in bed, I wonder, who was that woman at the flea market? Why did she bring the doll there? Cynthia must know more than she’s letting on.
[click]
July 15, 11:30 AM
[click]
Michael took me to see another therapist. I agreed, but deep inside, I still feel that I need to solve this mystery. Today, I want to visit the flea market again, talk to the seller one more time.
[click]
July 15, 1:00 PM
[click]
At the flea market. The seller is here.
Kate: Hi. Do you remember me? We spoke about the doll.
Seller: Oh, yes, ma’am. Did you find anything out?
Kate: Not much. But I need to know more about the woman who brought the doll. Did she leave anything behind? Any clues?
Seller: I… I do remember something. She dropped this envelope. I didn’t think much of it, but maybe it will help you.
Kate: Thank you so much.
[sound of rustling paper, click]
July 15, 1:45 PM
[click]
Opening the envelope now. There’s a letter inside. It’s… a confession.
“Dear Kate,
If you’re reading this, it means you’ve found the doll. I’m sorry for all the pain I’ve caused. I wanted to help you move on, but I see now it was a mistake. I hope you can forgive me. – Cynthia”
[click]
July 15, 7:00 PM
[click]
I confronted Cynthia. She admitted everything. She found the doll at a vintage store and thought it would help me move on. She never expected it to cause so much pain. We cried together and decided to let the past rest.
[click]
July 16, 8:00 AM
[click]
I’m starting to feel a sense of peace. I understand now that sometimes, people do things with good intentions, even if they hurt us. I’m ready to let go and move on. This will be my last recording.
[click]
The dictaphone clicks off, and the tape comes to an end. Kate took a deep breath and closed her eyes, ready to face a new chapter in her life.
