Chapter 1: The Truth No One Could Hide
Chapter 1: The Truth No One Could Hide
Margaret opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Daniel slowly stepped farther into the room, his eyes moving from the scattered legal papers to Ava lying painfully on the hardwood floor.
Then to Rosa, whose cheek was already swelling from the slap.
Then to the untouched medication spilled across the rug.
He didn't raise his voice.
That frightened Margaret more than if he had screamed.
"Help Ava up," Daniel said to Rosa.
Rosa hurried forward, carefully supporting Ava while Daniel knelt beside his wife.
His hands trembled as he saw the deep purple bruises circling her wrists.
"Who did this?"
Ava looked away.
She had spent weeks convincing herself that telling him would only make things worse.
Margaret answered first.
"She's confused because of the medication."
Daniel slowly picked up the paper cup from the floor.
"What medication?"
"The doctor prescribed it."
"Which doctor?"
Margaret hesitated.
"The facility physician."
Daniel looked toward the rehab administrator standing silently near the doorway.
"Bring me her medical chart."
The administrator swallowed.
"We... we don't actually have a physician assigned today."
Daniel's expression hardened.
"So who approved this?"
Nobody answered.
He turned to Rosa.
"You tell me."
Tears filled Rosa's eyes.
"For three weeks they kept increasing her medication whenever she refused to sign."
"They wouldn't let me call you."
"They took away her phone."
"They said you already knew."
Daniel felt his stomach twist.
"I never knew."
Rosa pointed toward the desk drawer.
"They kept the real copies in there."
Daniel opened it.
Inside were multiple versions of the power of attorney.
Some already carried practice signatures.
One page even contained a traced outline of Ava's handwriting.
His face turned white.
"You were going to forge her signature."
Margaret finally snapped.
"I was protecting this family!"
"You were never home!"
"You don't understand how vulnerable she is!"
Daniel slowly stood.
"No."
His voice echoed through the study.
"I understand perfectly."
"You tried to steal everything while convincing me you were saving her."
No one moved.
Daniel took out his phone.
"I'm calling the police."
Margaret lunged toward him.
"Daniel, don't be ridiculous!"
He stepped back.
"Don't touch me."
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For the first time in her life...
Margaret realized her son no longer trusted her.
