Chapter 5 - THE BOTTLE IN THE KITCHEN
Victor returned to the hospital.
Ethan was sleeping beneath a light blue blanket.
Lily sat beside his bed.
She had refused pain medication until Ethan’s condition was stable.
Victor stood near the window.
“How long has he been unusually tired?”
Lily thought carefully.
“Almost three weeks.”
“He started sleeping through breakfast.”
“Sometimes he could not keep his eyes open.”
“Did you tell anyone?”
“I told Serena.”
Victor turned.
“What did she say?”
“She said children change.”
“She told me to stop behaving like his mother.”
Victor looked back at Ethan.
“What did he eat before this happened?”
“Warm milk.”
“Who prepared it?”
Lily hesitated.
“Serena did.”
Victor immediately called Marcus.
“Search the kitchen.”
“Take every bottle, cup and container.”
“Nothing leaves the property.”
An hour later, Marcus found a small brown bottle hidden behind imported spices.
The label had been removed.
There were fingerprints on the glass.
One set belonged to Serena.
The other belonged to Rosa.
Serena was brought to the library.
Victor placed the bottle on the desk between them.
“Explain.”
Serena stared at it.
“I have never seen that.”
“Your fingerprints are on it.”
“Then someone planted it.”
“Rosa handled it too.”
Victor watched her closely.
Serena recognized the opening.
“There.”
“Rosa was drugging him.”
“She probably manipulated Lily.”
“Maybe they planned this together.”
Victor’s expression did not change.
“You think the nanny and the housekeeper conspired to hurt my son?”
“They may be trying to extort you.”
Serena leaned closer.
“You are Victor Blackwood.”
“People have used your child before.”
The words struck a nerve.
Years earlier, Victor’s enemies had threatened Ethan’s mother.
She had died before Ethan was born.
Victor had never forgiven himself.
Serena knew exactly where to press.
“You cannot trust people who are paid to love him.”
Victor looked away.
For the first time, doubt entered his face.
At the hospital, Lily noticed two police officers outside Ethan’s room.
She stepped into the corridor.
One of them approached her.
“Lily Parker?”
“Yes.”
“You need to come with us.”
“Why?”
The officer showed her an arrest warrant.
“A large amount of cash was found in your apartment.”
“So were several bottles matching the substance in Ethan’s blood.”
Lily stared at him.
“That is impossible.”
The officer reached for her wrist.
“You are under arrest for child endangerment.”
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Through the glass window, Victor watched Lily being led away.
And standing behind him, Serena smiled.
