Chapter 4

By dawn, my eyes burned from staying awake because of the nightmare.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Philip’s head hitting the table. I saw my own hands pushing him. Whether it was really my memory or madness, I couldn’t tell.

I dressed slowly, still thinking of it. I needed to work myself out in the company to forget the thoughts.

Outside, the driver opened the car door for me. I slid in, waiting for Elias to join.

He didn’t.

After a few seconds, I leaned forward. “Where’s Elias?”

“He left very early this morning, ma’am.”

I sat back, unsettled. What business did he have before sunrise?

The ride to Lawson Corporation was quiet, but my mind never was. I kept replaying the dream, the push, the possibility… the fear.

When I reached the office floor, my steps slowed.

Elias’s voice drifted from his office.

His door was slightly open.

“Traces of arsenic poisoning were found in my brother’s system. There should be something you can do.”

My blood turned cold.

Arsenic.

He's investigating Philip's death?

I stepped closer to hear more.

“I want his medical report file” he continued. “i need it soon. so get it ready.”

I forced myself to walk past as if I hadn’t heard anything, but the sudden sharp pain tore through my abdomen again. This time, worse.

I tried to keep walking.

Another cramp hit, violent and sudden.

My knees wobbled. I fumbled for the pill Clara prescribed, pulling one out with trembling fingers, but my vision blurred

and everything went blank.

I woke up to white lights and cold air.

I was in the hospital.

My head felt heavy, but the pain had finally eased.

A nurse approached. “You’re awake. How do you feel now, Miss?”

I sat up, touching my head.

“I’m… better,” I whispered, though the weakness in my voice betrayed me. “Wh… who brought me here?”

“The doctor asked to speak with him,” she said. “I can direct you to the doctor’s office if you’re fit to walk.”

“I’m okay now. Thank you.”

I pushed myself up, legs shaky, and followed her down the hall. When I pushed the doctor’s door open. I froze.

Elias was inside.

His eyes locked onto me instantly.

The doctor cleared his throat. “Miss, you may join us.”

I sat beside Elias.

“How are you feeling?” the doctor asked.

“I’m okay now.”

He turned to Elias.

“It seems your wife is stable now.”

My eyes widened, but he continued, “She needs more rest. I’ll prescribe additional medication.”

I felt a wave of embarrassment. I wanted to correct him, we weren’t married, but no words came out. Elias said nothing either.

When we were done, I followed Elias out.

He didn’t look at me.

He didn’t speak.

Not in the hallway.

Not in the elevator.

Not even in the car.

The ride back to the Lawson mansion was suffocating. I kept forcing myself to say thank you, but the words stuck to my throat.

Finally, when the car stopped, I whispered, “Thank you… for taking me to the hospital.”

He said nothing.

The car drove off before I could close the door.

“So rude,” I muttered. “He could’ve nodded at least.”

I sighed and headed to my room.

But when I entered, I froze.

David was inside.

“What are you doing here?”

He flinched and turned towards me.

“Mara…”

“What are you doing in my room?”

He stepped forward, closing the space between us, and I instinctively moved back, but he caught my face and kissed me. For a few seconds, shock rooted me in place before I pushed him off.

“David, stop.” I shoved him away, wiping my lips, “What are you doing?”

He let out a frustrated sigh. “Mara, please”

“If we’re caught together…” I began, but he cut in.

“I miss you, Mara.”

My entire body went still. I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t even process his words.

“This isn’t the time,” I said quietly. “And you shouldn’t be in my room. Please leave.”

“Just hear me out, Mara,” he tried, stepping forward again, but froze when I backed away.

“Leave my room,” I warned, final and firm.

He obeyed at last.

The moment he stepped out, I exhaled shakily. He shouldn’t be doing this. He’s engaged. I’m married.

Dinner arrived before I had even recovered from everything that happened earlier. I kept my gaze fixed on my plate, refusing to look in David’s direction.

I heard Camille talk “Elias,” she said brightly, “I thought about something. Maybe you can put David somewhere in the company. He’ll soon be family or he's already family. He can start at the company with you, maybe you can help him”.

God, no. The last thing I needed was David hovering around the company after what happened in my room.

Camille kept rambling on, but Elias remained silent. When I risked a glance at him, he was already staring at me, intensely. My pulse jumped. I quickly lowered my eyes again.

Once Camille finished, Elias placed his cutlery down with a harsh clatter that echoed through the dining room. Everyone instantly went quiet.

His gaze never left me.

“Mara,” he said, and a chill ran down my spine. “Tell everyone why you lied about your miscarriage and hid your abortion.”

Camille and Andrea both gasped.

“Wait– abortion?” Andrea repeated, voice full of disgust.

Before I could even breathe, something smacked lightly against my cheek and dropped onto my plate.

My medical report.

My whole body went cold. How did he even get it? I told Clara to keep it hidden.

Camille grabbed the paper from the table, scanned through it, and her expression shifted immediately—anger, disappointment, accusation.

My throat felt tight, my hands shaking uncontrollably.

Every pair of eyes in the room was on me.

Without another word, Elias pushed back his chair and walked upstairs without another word.

I sat there, frozen, unable to explain, unable to defend myself, unable to form a single word.

Tears gathered in my eyes.

Why here?

Why like this?

In front of everyone?