Chapter 4 - The Bottle Behind the Books
Gideon found the medicine by accident.
He was cleaning the playroom after Lumi fell asleep when a book slid from the lower shelf.
Behind it sat a bottle of children’s liquid medicine.
The label faced the wall.
He picked it up.
The cap had dried residue around the rim.
Maris entered before he could turn it over.
“What are you doing?”
“Cleaning.”
She snatched the bottle from his hand.
“What is this for?”
“Lumi’s allergies.”
“She does not have allergies.”
“She gets anxious at night.”
“That is not an allergy.”
Maris held the bottle against her side.
“It helps her sleep.”
“Who prescribed it?”
“Our pediatrician.”
“Which one?”
Her eyes sharpened.
“You’re interrogating me?”
“I’m asking because I’m a nurse and you are giving a child something I haven’t seen listed in her records.”
“You are not her doctor.”
“No. I’m her stepfather.”
Maris laughed once.
“You’re my husband. Don’t confuse the roles.”
The words landed harder than Gideon expected.
He looked toward the hallway.
Lumi stood there in her pajamas.
She had heard everything.
Maris turned.
“Back to bed.”
Lumi did not move.
Her eyes were fixed on the bottle.
Maris crossed the room.
The child flinched before her mother touched her.
Gideon stepped between them.
“I’ll put her to bed.”
Maris stared at him.
Then she smiled.
“Of course.”
She handed him the bottle.
“Give her one spoonful.”
Gideon looked at the liquid.
“No.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m not giving her anything until I know what it is.”
Maris stepped closer.
“You think I’m poisoning my daughter?”
“I think you are hiding medication behind books.”
For the first time, her composure cracked.
She grabbed the bottle back.
Lumi whispered, “Mom, don’t.”
Maris turned so quickly that Lumi recoiled.
Gideon saw it.
He took Lumi’s hand.
“Come with me.”
Maris blocked the doorway.
“No.”
The room became still.
Then Maris lowered her voice.
“She is my child.”
Gideon did not move.
“And she is afraid of you.”
Maris smiled again.
But this time, there was no warmth in it.
May you like
“You have no idea what she should be afraid of.”
👉 That night, Lumi slipped something into Gideon’s hospital bag—and it was the first proof that she wanted him to discover the truth.
