Chapter 7
Daniel tried to recover.
People like him always do.
“A sedative?” he said. “That must be from something the hospital gave her.”
Dr. Patel’s tone did not change.
“No.”
Evelyn lowered the teacup slowly.
Olivia stared at her.
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“My wife is anxious. She takes things sometimes.”
Olivia looked at him sharply.
Even she knew that was too fast.
Dr. Patel replied, “Claire reported consuming tea before the fall. Her test results are consistent with prior ingestion.”
Evelyn’s fingers tightened around the china cup.
Daniel stood.
“She’s confused.”
“The police are already involved.”
The phone slipped from Daniel’s hand and struck the bedroom floor.
The sound cracked through the room.
No one moved.
The call remained connected.
Dr. Patel’s voice became smaller through the speaker but still audible.
“Mr. Mercer?”
Daniel stared down at the phone.
Olivia looked from him to Evelyn.
Evelyn’s controlled expression finally fractured.
Not completely.
May you like
Just enough to show fear beneath the polish.
Read the full story 👉 Daniel tried to blame Claire immediately, but Dr. Patel had already moved beyond his version of events.
