Chapter 4 - The Iron Clad Alibi|
Daniel let out a forced, humorless laugh, looking around the room as if searching for an audience.
“A medical hold?” Daniel scoffed. “On what grounds? My wife has a documented history of psychosomatic episodes. She has a psychiatrist. She doesn't need an army grunt playing hero.”
“Watch your tone, Mr. Whitaker,” Carter said, his voice dropping an octave. “I’ve spoken to the hospital administrator. Given the sudden and unexplained nature of her collapse, state law requires a 24-hour observation period.”
Patricia stepped forward, her eyes narrowing at Carter. “We have joint custody of our granddaughter, Lily. My son is a respected architect in this city. We don’t have time for this circus. Sarah, tell this man to leave.”
I looked at my mother-in-law. For years, she had subtly undermined me. ‘Are you sure you’re remembering that right, Sarah?’ ‘Maybe you’re just tired, dear.’ They had worked together to convince everyone—even me—that I was losing my mind.
“I want to stay,” I managed to say, my voice trembling but loud enough to be heard.
Daniel’s fake smile completely vanished. His eyes locked onto mine, dark and threatening. “Sarah, don’t be ridiculous. Lily is waiting for you at home. You don't want to upset Lily, do you?”
Using our seven-year-old daughter against me. It was his favorite tactic. My heart twisted, but then I remembered the tea. The bitter taste he always masked with honey. The way he watched me drink it every single morning.
“I’m staying, Daniel,” I repeated, gripping the bedsheets.
Daniel’s jaw clenched tightly. He stared at me for a long, agonizing moment before turning to Carter. “Fine. Play your games. But when her regular doctor gets here in the morning, she’s coming home.”
May you like
He turned on his heel and stormed out. Patricia lingered for a second, giving me a look of pure disgust before following her son.
Carter let out a slow breath and locked the hospital door. “That man,” he said quietly, “is hiding something very, very dark.”
