“I lost someone the same way,” she said. “I won’t watch it happen again.”
Then she turned and disappeared into the night.
That night, Daniel couldn’t sleep. Every glance at Lucas’s medicine bottle echoed Maya’s words: They’re destroying what strength he has left.
After Olivia fell asleep, Daniel searched the medication online. It was labeled Neruvex-A, marketed as nerve support. Buried in medical forums were warnings about muscle atrophy with long-term use.
The next morning, he skipped Lucas’s dose and noticed his son seemed more alert, his face less pale.
Three days later, a private lab confirmed Daniel’s worst fear. The pills contained a powerful muscle relaxant, not nerve medication. Prolonged use could permanently weaken muscle control.
Shaking, Daniel revisited the old accident reports. Emma’s car had gone off a bridge during heavy rain. Police ruled it mechanical failure. But when he called the retired officer, the truth surfaced.
“The brake line had been tampered with,” the officer said. “We suspected foul play, but your insurance company pushed to close it fast. Said you wanted it over.”
Daniel hadn’t known.
That evening, he confronted Olivia in the kitchen.