Chapter 2 - The Locked Room
Elena read Daniel’s signature until the letters blurred.
The nurse reached for the document. “You shouldn’t be upsetting yourself.”
Elena pulled it away. “Did my husband sign this today?”
“I don’t know.”
“You brought me water and changed my bandage. You know who came into this room.”
The nurse looked toward the door.
That was answer enough.
Elena got out of bed.
Pain tore across her hip. She gripped the bedpost until it passed.
“Mrs. Whitmore, please.”
“Open the door.”
“It’s locked for your safety.”
Elena stared at her.
“My mother-in-law tried to murder me on a bridge, and you locked me in a room she owns.”
The nurse’s face went pale.
Before she could answer, the lock turned.
Daniel entered.
He looked terrible. Mud on his boots. A cut across his cheek. Dried blood on one cuff.
Elena held up the petition.
“What is this?”
His eyes closed for half a second.
“Elena—”
“No. You already used my name while I was unconscious. Now use words.”
He shut the door behind him.
“My mother’s lawyers filed it.”
“Your signature is on it.”
“I signed before I knew what it was.”
Elena laughed once. “That excuse almost killed me today.”
Daniel flinched.
She stepped toward him. “Why did you cut the reins?”
“Because Mother told me the horses had to be separated from the carriage.”
“You knew that would send us toward the broken section.”
“I knew the carriage was already out of control.”
“And you chose her.”
His jaw tightened. “I made the wrong choice.”
“Which one?”
He did not answer.
Elena’s hand moved protectively over her stomach.
“Where is Rosa?”
“Missing.”
“What?”
“She was here when they brought you in. She argued with Dr. Mercer. Then she disappeared.”
Elena’s pulse jumped.
Daniel lowered his voice. “I think she took something from Mother.”
“The second will?”
“I don’t know what that is.”
“You believed her when she shouted it.”
“I believed Mother.”
“That is becoming a very expensive habit.”
He looked at the floor.
A doctor entered without knocking.
Dr. Julian Mercer was gray-haired, elegant, and too calm. Elena knew him from Whitmore dinners. He had treated Daniel’s father before his death.
“Mrs. Whitmore,” he said. “Your child appears unharmed, but you need rest.”
“I need to leave.”
“I can’t recommend that.”
“I didn’t ask.”
Mercer glanced at Daniel.
Elena saw it.
A tiny look.
Permission.
She turned back to Mercer. “What did you give me?”
“Pain medication.”
“My mouth tastes bitter.”
“That is common.”
“No. It tastes like the tonic Victoria sends to my room every evening.”
Daniel frowned.
Mercer’s expression did not change, but his hand tightened around his medical bag.
Elena noticed a small dark mark on the inside of her arm.
A puncture.
Not from the accident.
She rolled up her sleeve.
“What is that?”
Mercer said nothing.
Daniel grabbed his wrist. “What did you inject her with?”
The doctor pulled free.
“Calm down.”
Elena picked up the water glass, smelled it, and set it down untouched.
Then the door opened again.
A young orderly stood there, breathing hard.
“Doctor, you need to come downstairs.”
Mercer’s face hardened. “Why?”
The orderly looked at Elena.
“Someone broke into the dispensary.”
He swallowed.
“They found Mrs. Whitmore’s pregnancy tonic.”
Daniel went still.
The orderly finished:
Daniel tried to take the guardianship paper from her again. Elena stepped behind the bed.
“Did you even read it?”
His silence answered.
“That is twice in one day,” she said. “You cut leather because your mother told you to. Then you signed away my freedom because a lawyer told you to. What happens the next time somebody hands you a pen?”
He looked at her as if she had struck him.
“I thought it gave Mercer permission to treat you if the baby came early.”
“And that is exactly how people like your mother use people like you.”
The nurse stood frozen by the wall. Elena turned to her. “What is your name?”
“Anne.”
“Anne, if anyone asks, did I threaten you?”
“No.”
“Did I seem confused?”
“No.”
“Good. Remember that when somebody asks you to swear otherwise.”
Anne looked toward Mercer’s office, then quietly nodded. It was the first small act of loyalty Elena had gained since waking, and she understood something important: Victoria’s power depended on people assuming everyone else would obey.
“It contains belladonna.”
---
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