Kriti bustled in the kitchen, the aroma of spiced rice and curry filling the small family home. Her younger sister, Amishu, just fifteen, set the table with quick, eager movements, while their cousin Rohan, seventeen and visiting for the week, lounged against the counter, scrolling his phone. The house felt fuller with him there, sharing Amishu's room since it had two beds. Kriti had installed a hidden CCTV camera in that room weeks ago, a secret precaution after some neighborhood worries, accessible only through her phone app. She never mentioned it to anyone.

Dinner passed with light chatter. 'Pass the dal, Amishu,' Kriti said, spooning food onto plates. Rohan nodded along, his eyes flicking between the sisters. As plates cleared, he stretched and turned to Amishu. 'Hey, let's head to the room. Got a movie queued up—something fun.' Amishu glanced at Kriti, who shrugged. 'Go on, it's fine. I'll clean up.' They slipped away, laughter echoing down the hall. Kriti didn't think twice, wiping counters until the house quieted.