Chapter 14

False alarm.

I wasn't actually poisoned again.

Thank God.

The doctors had rushed in and found out the reason I was reacting this way was simply—

My stomach wasn't ready for solid food yet.

Apparently, after nearly dying from actual poisoning, my body had decided to betray me further by rejecting normal, innocent food.

So, instead of enjoying my much-needed meal, I was now sipping on some bland electrolyte drink while Chloe smirked at me like she had known I was being dramatic.

"You should've seen your face," she said, leaning back in her chair. "I thought you were about to start writing your will."

I rolled my eyes, still sipping my sad excuse for a meal. "Forgive me for assuming the worst when I've literally been poisoned."

Chloe shrugged. "I mean, fair. But it's kind of funny."

"It is not funny," Mum scolded, still looking shaken. She reached over and squeezed my hand. "You really scared me, Astrid."

I sighed, guilt creeping in. "I'm sorry, Mum. I didn't mean to."

She nodded, but the worry in her eyes didn't fade.

A knock on the door interrupted us.

I expected a nurse.

Or maybe another doctor.

It was neither.

The door creaked open, and standing there—his usual cold, unreadable expression in place—was Cole.

The air in the room shifted instantly.

Chloe stiffened beside me.

Mum tensed.

And me?

I just stared at him, suddenly feeling uneasy.

"The police are here to conduct an investigation," Cole said.

I frowned, setting my drink down. "You involved the police?"

"I did not," Cole replied firmly.

I turned to look at Mum and Chloe, but from their equally surprised expressions, it was clear neither of them had made the call either.

"They insist on seeing you," Cole continued. His face was unreadable, but there was a sharpness in his eyes. "But if you want them to go away, just say the words."

I swallowed, feeling a sudden tightness in my chest. "No, it's fine. Let them in."

Cole gave a small nod and stepped aside as two police officers walked into the room.

The first officer, a woman, with sharp cheekbones, piercing gray eyes, and dark brown hair pulled into a tight bun. Her uniform was pressed to perfection, and she carried herself with an air of authority that made it clear she wasn't here for small talk.

Beside her stood a tall, broad-shouldered man with short blond hair and a hardened expression. His gaze was calculating, and even though he hadn't said a word yet, I could already feel the weight of his scrutiny.

The woman cleared her throat and spoke first. "I'm terribly sorry to disturb you in your current situation, Miss Bennett, but we need you to answer some questions regarding Mr. Caldwell's murder."

I blinked. "Murder?"

Chloe sat up straighter, her eyes narrowing.

Mum's hand gripped mine tighter.

"Yes," the officer confirmed. "Apparently, you're the key suspect in this newly opened case."

For a moment, the entire room fell into stunned silence.

Even Chloe—who always had something to say—was utterly speechless.

Mum was the first to find her voice, her expression darkening with outrage. "How dare you accuse my daughter of something so vile, especially after everything she's been through? If there's any investigation to be held, it should be about who poisoned her, not some baseless accusation!"

The female officer didn't flinch. "I'm afraid your daughter is a key suspect. She was Mr. Caldwell's caregiver, and after an autopsy conducted by his family, traces of digoxin overdose were found in his bloodstream. Given that digoxin poisoning occurs gradually, the suspicion falls on the person who had prolonged access to him."

A slow, creeping dread settled in my stomach.

"But I—I didn't do anything!" My voice cracked slightly. "I cared for him. I would never—"

"The Caldwell family has filed charges," the officer interrupted. "And I'm afraid that the moment you are discharged from the hospital, Miss Bennett, you will be taken into custody for questioning."

The world tilted.

The room felt too small, the air too thick.

I wasn't just suspected.

I was being accused.

"Hold on... let's back up a bit."

Chloe suddenly stood, her presence commanding as she glared at the officers. "First of all—what murder? Mr. Caldwell died naturally. That was what everyone said. Second—what autopsy? And third, how dare you accuse my sister of something this ridiculous?"

She folded her arms, daring them to answer.

And honestly? She wasn't wrong to ask those questions.

Because officially, Mr. Caldwell had died of natural causes. That's what everyone had been told. Although I'd had my reservations, I had no proof—only an unsettling feeling that something wasn't quite right.

I remembered that morning too clearly.

I had arrived at the Caldwell estate at my usual time, only for Alfred, the head butler, to greet me with a solemn expression. He had told me Mr. Caldwell had passed away peacefully in his sleep, and that his body had already been taken to the morgue.

But if an autopsy had been conducted…

And if they found something...

Then this was bigger than just a misunderstanding.

It was a complication.

A dangerous one.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to focus.

The female officer remained unshaken by Chloe's outburst. She simply adjusted her posture and replied, "The initial assumption was that Mr. Caldwell passed naturally. However, his family ordered a private autopsy shortly after, and the results showed traces of a fatal digoxin overdose in his bloodstream. As his caregiver, you were one of the few people who had direct access to him in his final days. That makes you our primary suspect, Miss Bennett."

I felt cold.

I was really being accused of murder.

Not only was it insane, but it was so unbelievable that I almost laughed.

"This is their doing, isn't it?" Chloe spat, her voice sharp with fury. "Those assholes Mr. Caldwell called family. They couldn't kill my sister, so they chose this instead. Well, they aren't the only ones who can give a low blow—"

"Chloe!" Mum cut in, her voice low and urgent, a clear warning for her to stop talking especially in front of the officers.

Chloe was furious, but she wasn't wrong.

Mr. Caldwell's so-called family had never cared about him while he was alive. They had also resented me from the moment he hired me.

Now, they had found the perfect way to get rid of me.

And it was working.