Chapter 4 - Maya Counted What the Family IgnoredMaya trusted numbers more than explanations.
On Monday morning, she counted twenty-eight tablets in my newest prescription bottle.
On Tuesday, there were twenty-four.
I was supposed to have taken two.
She asked Eleanor whether I had needed an extra dose.
Eleanor denied touching the bottle.
Maya then asked me.
I remembered taking only the medication she had given me.
Two pills were missing.
Maya placed the bottle in her locked case.
That afternoon, Eleanor called the nursing agency and attempted to have her removed.
“She is making my husband paranoid,” Eleanor said.
The agency supervisor contacted me directly.
I told her Maya should remain.
Eleanor did not speak to me for the rest of the day.
By then, Maya had begun keeping a private log.
She recorded my blood pressure, symptoms, meals, and every person who entered the room before an episode of confusion.
A pattern appeared.
My worst symptoms occurred on days when Eleanor handled my food or medication.
Maya contacted my cardiologist without informing my wife.
He ordered a toxicology screening.
The test was scheduled for the morning after Preston’s rehearsal dinner.
Maya did not tell me why.
She only said, “I need a complete picture of what is happening.”
I was offended.
I told her that my wife would never harm me.
Maya did not argue.
She asked one question.
“Mr. Hartwell, when was the last time you personally opened a sealed pharmacy bottle?”
I could not remember.
That frightened me more than I admitted.
Meanwhile, Olivia began keeping her distance from Preston.
She attended appointments but rarely touched him. At the final menu tasting, I saw them arguing near the terrace.
“You lied to me,” Olivia said.
“I protected you from something that did not concern you.”
“Your debts concern me if you expect me to marry you.”
“You are marrying into my family. You will never have to worry about money.”
“Your father’s money is not yours.”
Preston noticed me and lowered his voice.
Olivia walked away.
He approached my wheelchair.
“She is nervous.”
“She sounds informed.”
His face hardened.
“Did she show you my financial documents?”
“She was worried.”
“She had no right.”
“Neither did you, when you hid nearly a million dollars in debt from the woman you planned to marry.”
Preston leaned closer.
“Do not destroy my wedding.”
The words surprised me.
“Your wedding?”
“You always do this. You give me something and then make me feel guilty for accepting it.”
“I am asking you to take responsibility.”
“No. You are reminding everyone that you control everything.”
For the first time, I understood how he saw me.
Not as his father.
As a locked door between him and the life he believed he deserved.
Eleanor appeared and placed a calming hand on his arm.
“Go find Olivia,” she said. “I will speak to your father.”
When Preston left, she turned toward me.
“You are pushing him away.”
“He lied to his fiancée.”
“He was afraid.”
“He owes nine hundred thousand dollars.”
“And you could solve it with one phone call.”
“I could. I will not.”
Her expression became empty.
“Then do not be surprised when he chooses the parent who stands beside him.”
May you like
I thought she meant emotional support.
I did not yet understand that she had already chosen sides in a war I did not know existed.
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