Fear of being discovered.
Isabella felt a chill.
“I need to hospitalize him,” she said firmly. “Strict monitoring and controlled feeding.”
Richard frowned.
“At your public hospital? Absolutely not.”
“If he improves there,” Isabella replied calmly, “we’ll know the problem isn’t medical.”
After a tense pause, Richard agreed to a one-week stay.
The next morning their luxury car arrived at the worn entrance of Lincoln City General Hospital.
Inside, Isabella began strict monitoring. Every bottle was prepared by staff and carefully recorded.
The first night Oliver slept peacefully.
The next morning Isabella weighed him.
He had gained weight.
“Is that normal?” Richard asked.
“That’s what should have been happening all along,” Isabella replied.
Five days later Oliver was stronger, his skin pinker, his movements lively.
The laboratory results for the glass arrived.
Residues of a strong laxative—and a syrup that induced vomiting.
Isabella felt sick.
It was real.
She contacted social worker Laura Bennett and detective Angela Brooks.
When Natalie arrived the next day, Angela was waiting.
“Mrs. Carter, we need to talk.”
Natalie turned pale when the evidence bag was placed in front of her.