Chapter 10 - The Altered Medication
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Thursday afternoon arrived with a heavy, oppressive gloom. Rain lashed against the massive windows of the estate.
Damian was sitting in his wheelchair by the fireplace when Vivian entered the room, carrying a silver tray. Resting on the tray was a porcelain teacup and a small, white pill cup.
"Darling," Vivian cooed, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. "I brought you some chamomile tea. You looked so tense this morning."
Maya was standing near the bookshelves, dusting the spines of antique novels. She watched Vivian carefully from the corner of her eye.
"I don't want tea, Vivian," Damian said wearily, leaning his head back against the chair.
"You have to take your medication," Vivian insisted, stepping closer and placing the tray on the side table. "The doctor said it’s vital for your nerve pain."
She picked up the teacup and the pill cup, holding them out to him.
Maya noticed the slight tremble in Vivian’s hand. She remembered the medical directive she had photographed. Vivian needed him docile. She needed him confused.
Damian reached out, pretending his hand was weak and shaking. "Just leave it on the table. I'll take it in a minute."
"No, Damian, take it now," Vivian pressed, stepping aggressively into his personal space.
Maya didn't think; she reacted. She turned swiftly from the bookshelf, walking purposefully toward the fireplace with her feather duster. As she passed the side table, she intentionally hooked her foot around the leg of a small, decorative footstool.
She tripped, throwing her hands forward to break her fall.
Her right hand smashed directly into the silver tray. The teacup shattered against the marble floor, hot liquid splashing everywhere. The white pills scattered into the roaring flames of the fireplace, instantly melting away.
"You clumsy, stupid idiot!" Vivian shrieked, jumping back as hot tea splashed her expensive silk trousers.
"I'm so sorry, miss!" Maya cried out, dropping to her knees and frantically dabbing at the floor with her apron. "I tripped! I'm so sorry!"
Damian hid a smirk behind his hand, masking it as a cough.
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"Get out!" Vivian screamed, her face red with absolute fury. "Get out of my sight before I kill you!"
Maya scrambled to her feet and hurried out of the room, leaving Vivian to stare furiously at the empty, ruined tray. The medication was gone. Damian was safe for another day.
