Chapter 2 - The Perfect Explanation
Martha was taken to St. Catherine’s Medical Center.
Doctors diagnosed mild hypothermia, exhaustion, and bruising along her left shoulder.
Julian stayed beside her.
Vanessa stayed too.
She behaved like the devoted future daughter-in-law everyone believed her to be.
She brought blankets.
She asked nurses questions.
She called Julian’s sister Claire.
She even cried in the hallway when Martha was taken for imaging.
Julian watched all of it.
Eleven months earlier, he would have been moved by her concern.
Now every gesture looked rehearsed.
Claire arrived around six.
“What happened?”
Vanessa answered before Julian could speak.
“Your mother wandered outside alone.”
Martha turned her head sharply.
“That is a lie.”
Vanessa flinched.
“Martha, please.”
“You pushed me.”
Claire looked at Julian.
Julian kept his face expressionless.
Vanessa lowered her voice.
“You know how confused she’s been lately.”
Martha tried to sit up.
“I am not confused.”
The heart monitor quickened.
Julian touched his mother’s shoulder.
“Mom.”
Martha stared at him.
“You heard her.”
Julian said nothing.
Vanessa looked between them.
Then Julian did something that surprised both women.
He nodded slowly.
“Mom, rest.”
Martha’s eyes filled with anger.
“Julian.”
“I said rest.”
Vanessa exhaled.
Relief crossed her face.
It lasted only a moment.
Julian turned toward Claire.
“Take Vanessa home.”
Vanessa blinked.
“I’m staying.”
“No.”
“Julian, you need me.”
“I need quiet.”
Her mouth tightened.
Then the warm expression returned.
“Of course.”
She kissed his cheek.
Julian did not move.
When the door closed behind Vanessa and Claire, Martha whispered.
“You don’t believe me.”
Julian pulled a chair closer.
“I heard everything.”
Martha stopped breathing for a moment.
Julian took her hand.
“I was behind the glass doors.”
Tears filled Martha’s eyes.
“She thought you were still in Chicago.”
“I know.”
“She has been trying to make me look insane.”
“I know that now.”
Martha stared at him.
“You cannot confront her yet.”
Julian had already been thinking the same thing.
“Why?”
Martha looked toward the closed hospital door.
“Because Vanessa isn’t the one I’m afraid of.”
Julian leaned closer.
“Then who are you afraid of?”
Martha swallowed.
“Someone who knows this family far better than she does.”
Before Julian could ask another question, the door opened.
A nurse entered.
Behind her stood Dr. Alan Mercer.
Martha immediately went pale.
Julian noticed.
Dr. Mercer smiled.
“Mrs. Hale.”
May you like
Martha’s fingers tightened around Julian’s hand.
And Julian understood that the conspiracy might have already reached the hospital.
