Chapter 3 - The First Warning
Brooke had never told Travis how cruel Lorraine could be when he was gone.
At first, the comments had been subtle.
“You look tired. Are you sure motherhood suits you?”
“Jonah seems calmer with me.”
“Travis always wanted a strong wife.”
Brooke tried to laugh them off.
She did not want to sound jealous.
She did not want to put Travis between his mother and his wife two weeks after becoming a father.
But the night before, Lorraine had crossed a line.
Brooke had found her standing in the kitchen with a bottle from Brooke’s prescription bag.
“What are you doing with that?”
Lorraine turned.
“Checking the label.”
“Why?”
“Because you have been confused lately.”
“I have not been confused.”
“You left the stove on.”
Brooke frowned.
“I haven’t cooked since I came home.”
Lorraine’s expression did not change.
“Exactly.”
That sentence had stayed with Brooke.
Exactly.
As if Lorraine had said more than she intended.
Brooke took the bottle from her.
That evening, she counted the pills.
Two were missing.
She told herself she had miscounted.
She told herself exhaustion was affecting her memory.
But she placed the bottle beneath a stack of folded towels and sent Travis a message.
Can we talk tonight? Something feels wrong.
He replied immediately.
Of course. I’ll come home early.
Lorraine walked into the bedroom before Brooke could write more.
“What are you telling him?”
“Nothing.”
“Then show me.”
“No.”
Lorraine held out her hand.
Brooke locked the phone.
For several seconds, neither woman moved.
Then Jonah began crying.
Lorraine’s face softened instantly.
Not with love.
With opportunity.
“You should rest,” she said.
“I’ll take care of him.”
Brooke followed her to the nursery.
She watched Lorraine lift Jonah.
Then she saw something strange beneath the blanket.
A tiny hard shape.
Lorraine quickly pulled the fabric over it.
“What is that?” Brooke asked.
“Nothing.”
Brooke reached toward the crib.
Lorraine stepped between them.
“I said nothing.”
That was when Brooke understood.
Lorraine was not merely insulting her.
She was hiding something.
May you like
And whatever it was, she did not want Brooke near her own child.
👉 Brooke tried to retrieve the object before Travis came home—but Lorraine was already preparing a story that would make Brooke look dangerous.
