Poisoned

—SAMANTHA—

Everyone knew who she was talking about.

Me.

I clenched my fists, willing myself to stay calm.

Ophelia gasped softly, turning to Georgia. “Mother, please don't say that..." she trailed off, giving me a pitiful look.

Liar. She was enjoying this.

She was pretending to defend me, trying to seem like the bigger person.

I knew her game.

Georgia scoffed. “I’m only telling the truth.”

Zeke, still holding Ophelia, looked at her with concern. “Have you been eating properly?”

Ophelia shook her head, her lips trembling slightly. “No, I…”

Georgia’s gaze snapped to me. “What are you standing there for? Go make yourself useful and serve Ophelia!”

Humiliation burned through me. My hands curled into fists at my sides.

But I had no choice.

I had to do this for Amore.

With steady movements, I plated some shrimp and placed it in front of Ophelia.

She looked up at me, her eyes gleaming with triumph, but her voice was low, almost humble. “Sorry for the trouble, Sammie.”

What did she mean?

I swallowed my pride, stepping back into the shadows, watching as Zeke cut Ophelia’s food and fed her like she was some delicate flower.

I clenched my jaw. I wanted to leave, but I knew Georgia wouldn’t allow it. Not without consequences.

"Useless fool," Georgia hisses, and Lillian chuckled in mockery.

My cheeks burned.

"Eat," Zeke cast a glance at Lillian before turning to care for Ophelia.

Then, suddenly-

“Zeke!” Ophelia’s body jerked, and a strangled scream tore from her throat. Her hands shot to her neck, her face turning an alarming red as she gasped for air.

Zeke was on his feet instantly, gripping her shoulders. “Ophelia! What’s wrong?”

The air became intense and chaotic.

"Someone do something!" Georgia shrieked, standing from her chair so quickly that it scraped against the marble floor.

Lillian rushed to Ophelia’s side with panic, patting her back as if that would somehow help.

I stood frozen, unable to comprehend what was happening. I had only just placed the food in front of her—what could possibly be wrong?

Then Ophelia’s tear-filled eyes locked onto mine.

She barely managed to point at me before her body convulsed, and a strangled sob escaped her lips.

My breath caught.

What?

“Why?” she rasped, her voice barely above a whisper. “Why did you try to kill me?”

My heart stopped.

Zeke's head snapped toward me accusingly, his blue eyes dark with fury. "What did you do, Samantha?!”

"I—I didn't do anything!" I stammered, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Don’t lie!" Georgia bellowed. "You’re the only one who touched her food! Did you put something in it? Did you try to poison her?"

Poison?

A cold chill ran down my spine.

I looked at the plate still sitting in front of Ophelia—untouched except for the small bite she had taken. It was the same food I had prepared for everyone. The same food I had served my daughter this morning.

I would never…

I wasn't the only one who served breakfast. Could one of the servants be setting me up? But how could they have know which food I was going to give to her?

I turned to Ophelia, searching her face for any sign of deception. Her trembling fingers grasped Zeke’s suit, her whole body shaking as if she was genuinely terrified.

Was she really choking?

Or was she faking it?

“Zeke fucken do something!" Lillian yelled with fright.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "I swear, I didn’t do anything!" I said, my voice shaking.

"Shut up!" Georgia snapped. "You’re just jealous of Ophelia! I knew you were bitter, but I didn’t think you’d try to kill her!"

I felt like I had been slapped.

Zeke didn’t say a word. He just glared at me, his jaw clenched, as if he was already convinced I was guilty.

Of course, he was.

Why would he ever believe me over her?

Ophelia whimpered, pressing herself further into Zeke’s embrace. "I… I don’t know… maybe it was a mistake…" she said weakly.

She was putting on a show. I could see it now.

She wanted them to think she was defending me. She wanted them to think she was kind. But at the same time, she was planting the seed of doubt, making it seem like I could have done it.

"You’re too nice, Ophelia," Georgia seethed. "She’s a snake! Her family is full of trouble, she's an example of her useless dead sister! I should have never allowed Zeke to marry her!"

The words hit harder than I expected.

I swallowed, trying to push down the lump forming in my throat.

"I didn't do anything," I firmly said again, but my voice was weaker this time.

Zeke's glare darkened. "Then why is Ophelia choking?"

I opened my mouth, then closed it. I had no answer for that.

Georgia let out a horrified gasp. “Oh, my God! Zeke, she's dying!”

Lilian jumped with terror, screaming. “We need to take her to the hospital!”

Everything happened in a blur. The servants scrambled around the mansion in panic as Zeke lifted Ophelia into his arms, rushing toward the entrance.

Georgia and Lilian followed closely behind, shouting orders at the staff.

I stood frozen, my mind racing.

But a scalding pain seared through my face and my hands.

I screamed as burning hot liquid splashed over me, the heat instantly blistering my skin. The sharp scent of tea filled my nostrils, and I staggered backward, clutching my face in agony.

Through my blurred vision, I saw Georgia standing in front of me, her chest heaving in rage, the teacup still clutched in her hand.

“You wretched woman!” she snarled. “You tried to kill her! You poisoned her!”

I didn't poison Ophelia.

Tears streamed down my face as the pain intensified, my hands trembling as I touched the burning skin.

“Mother, let’s go!” Lilian grabbed Georgia’s arm, pulling her away. “Ophelia needs us!”

“If Ophelia's life is in danger, Samantha, I swear I will make sure Zeke divorces you!”

Georgia glared at me one last time before turning on her heel, storming after Zeke and the others as they rushed Ophelia to the hospital.

I stood there, shaking, my skin on fire, my pride shattered.

The servants gossiped among themselves, some watching me with pity, others with suspicion.

I bit my lip, choking back the sob threatening to escape.

I needed to treat my burns.

Ignoring the stares, I turned and rushed out of the mansion. My legs moved on instinct as I boarded a taxi to the hospital, barely able to focus through the pain.

Halfway there, I pulled out my phone and dialed Maryjane’s number.

She picked up on the second ring. “Sam? What’s wrong?”

My voice trembled. “Meet me at the hospital.”

There was a brief pause, then her worried voice came through. “I’m on my way!”

I swallowed hard, my throat thick with emotion.

I had no idea what awaited me at the hospital, but one thing was certain—

Will Zeke forcefully divorce me?

I can't, I can't let it happen.