The handle turned slowly.
Adrian’s heart pounded in his ears.
Martha didn’t move.
Not even an inch.
The door cracked open.
Light spilled into the darkness.
A shadow appeared.
Derek.
“Strange…” he muttered, glancing around.
Adrian felt sweat run down his neck.
One more step…
And it was over.
But then, from the living room, Vanessa called:
“Derek! Come here—you need to see this.”
A pause.
Just one second.
Then—
The door shut.
Footsteps faded.
Adrian exhaled like he’d just been pulled back from the edge of death.
But there was no relief.
Only one crushing truth:
His son was in danger.
And time was running out.
“Now you understand,” Martha whispered.
Adrian turned to her, eyes filled with shock and pain.
“How long?”
She hesitated.
“Three weeks.”
Three weeks.
Three weeks while he slept peacefully… while his son was being poisoned.
He closed his eyes, guilt crashing over him.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I tried,” she said firmly. “But without proof… she would’ve destroyed me—and him.”
Silence.
Heavy.
Outside, footsteps moved upstairs.
Vanessa.
Heading toward Ethan’s room.
Adrian moved instinctively.
“I’m going—”
“No!” Martha grabbed him.
“She’ll do worse if she knows you found out.”
Her eyes burned with intensity now.
No fear.