I saw Cathy's expression freeze for a moment before she forced a smile, placing the bowl of medication on the bedside table. "Let me take a look!"
That smile, so warm and friendly, sent chills down my spine.
I pointed to the painful spot. "Right here!"
She touched the area, pretending to examine it. "Here? There's nothing there."
I winced. "Yeah! That's the spot! It hurts a lot!"
"It looks fine to me!" She moved her hand to other parts of my head. "Any other spots feel uncomfortable?"
She was trying to distract me.
I sat up straighter, still touching the sore spot, and watched her. "It's strange. It feels like a needle prick. It's been happening a lot lately."
"There's nothing unusual. It's probably nerve pain. I get little twinges now and then, too," she explained casually, trying to find an excuse.
Secretly, I cursed her lies. I could feel the bump under my fingers, and there was even a faint trace of blood. She was lying to me, assuming I couldn't see the back of my head.
I suspected this wasn't just one needle prick. Over time, I'd been waking up with this stabbing pain, but today was the first time I'd been fully conscious of it.
I pretended to ponder this for a moment before sighing.
Maybe Cathy felt guilty. She said, "Mrs. Davis, please take your medicine. I need to check on Alex. He's playing downstairs alone, and I'm worried."
She turned to leave, and I breathed a quiet sigh of relief. This was exactly the reaction I needed. Otherwise, she would have stayed until I took the medicine.
Since I hadn't taken the medicine for two doses, my mind was much clearer, my sleepiness less overwhelming, my fatigue lighter, and even my heartbeat felt normal.
I knew I couldn't drink this medication anymore. I suspected all my symptoms were related to this medicine.
I needed to find a way to have it analyzed. What exactly was Cathy giving me?
And I needed to find out if Aidan knew what was happening to me.
But first, how to deal with this bowl of medication?
I glanced at the spot where the surveillance camera used to be. Instinct told me to stay cautious. I still didn't know why Cathy was doing this to me or what other schemes were at play. There had to be a reason.
Sherlock stretched and crawled out from under the blanket, snuggling into my lap. An idea struck me. I petted him for a while and then picked up the bowl of medication. As expected, Sherlock recoiled and leaped away, clearly hating the smell of the medicine.
I put the bowl back, pretending to brush off my clothes, giving the impression that I had spilled some on myself.
Then, I went to the bathroom, washed my face, and wiped it with a towel. As I walked back to the bedside table, I quickly poured the medication into a towel while keeping my back to the camera, then mimicked the action of drinking it.
Carrying the bowl and the now-soaked towel, I walked casually back to the bathroom, swiftly rinsed the towel, and then walked downstairs with the empty bowl.
I felt calm, but my heart was racing. I never imagined I'd have to play such a deceitful game in my own home.
From the stairs, I heard Aidan's voice. My heart ached, and I quickened my pace instinctively.
It was a subconscious act of relying. He was the person I relied on most in this house. For ten years, he had treated me with the utmost care and love. Anyone who knew us could see how he cherished me.
I desperately wanted to know if he was aware of what was happening to me while I lay helpless in bed.
Downstairs, I heard the low murmur of Aidan's voice and Alex's laughter. It almost brought tears to my eyes.
As I hurriedly reached the bottom of the stairs, the sight before me stopped me in my tracks, shocking me to the core.