“Good morning Elena,” the voice greeted.

“Good morning to you; but sorry why are you calling with my husband’s phone, and it’s way too early.” Elena said.

“Yeah, if you don’t mind, please could you drive to St Genevieve’s hospital as your attention is needed here?” The strange caller said.

“Sorry, but who are you, and why are you calling with my husband’s phone. I mean why am I coming to the hospital?” Elena asked.

“My name is Dr. Chris, and your husband was brought in here yesterday night; that’s all for now. I will be waiting for you at the hospital.” He said and cut the phone.

Elena hurriedly wore her clothes, picked up the car keys and hastened out of the house, taking the staircase in her strides.

“Where are you going Mum?” Kimberly asked.

“How long have you been here and I hope you know what the time is?” Elena asked.

“It’s 5 am mum,” Kimberly replied.

“Take care of your sister. I am off to the hospital. Your Dad was taken to St Genevieve’s hospital yesterday night. The doctor just called now. I’ll be back, ok?” Elena said as she rushed out of the house.

Elena ignited the car engine as she drove off to the hospital, wondering what was really happening to Jordan, and hoping that he was safe. Immediately Elena got to the hospital, she alighted as she rushed in.

“Hello, good morning. I am here to see Dr. Chris.” Elena said panting.

“Do you have any appointment?” The nurse at the reception asked, without even looking up to see whom it was but kept herself busy at whatever she was writing.

“No, but I need to see him; he called me just a few minutes ago.” Elena replied.

“I’m sorry but you can’t see him unless you have an appointment with him?” The nurse insisted.

“Are you okay? I said I want to see Dr. Chris; that my husband was brought in here; that I was called to come here. Of course you can’t deny me access to meet him.” Elena yelled.

“What’s happening here?” A young doctor in his late twenties asked, as he walked up to the reception.

“She came in here and said she wanted to see you, and when I asked if she had any appointment with you she said no, and I said she can’t.” the nurse explained.

“Are you Dr. Chris?” Elena asked.

“Yes I am, and who are you?” Dr. Chris replied.

“I am Elena, the woman you called a few minutes ago, informing her that her husband was brought in here yesterday night.” Elena offered.

“Alright, follow me.” Dr. Chris said and walked away as Elena followed behind.

“Doctor where are we? This looks like a morgue. What are we doing here?” Elena asked.

Dr. Chris pushed a button and the body in front of Elena was that of husband, Jordan.

“What happened to Jordan?” Elena screamed.

“You have to take it easy Ma’am. He was brought in here at about 11:30 pm yesterday, because according to them, he was just stuck in the car, and his motionless car caused traffic jam. So when some people wanted to check the car they saw he was already unconscious, but was still breathing, though faintly. He was eventually rushed into the emergency unity, but we lost him because the poison was very powerful and…”

“Did you say poison?” Elena asked cutting the doctor off, as tears gushed down her eyes.

“Yes, poison, your husband was poisoned. We actually carried out an autopsy on him and the result showed he was poisoned. So, what was the last thing he ate before he left for work this night?” Dr. Chris asked.

“Nothing. We just ate my daughter’s birthday cake which everyone else ate. I mean, here I am; so it wasn’t poisoned.” Elena replied.

“Are you sure?” Dr. Chris prodded further.

“He also drank a cup of coffee which my 10-year-old daughter served him,” Elena replied as she remembered that at the moment.

“I think that’s where he took in the poison. I am really sorry. Do take heart.” Dr. Chris said, touching Elena’s shoulder, consoling her.

“This isn’t true. My Jordan isn’t dead. Not true. Baby wake up, please.” Elena said, touching Jordan’s face.

“We have to leave now ma.” Dr. Chris said as he walked Elena out of the morgue.

And shortly after, Elena gradually walked to her car, shut the door and she cried her eyes out.

“Jordan, you can’t leave me now please. I need you; the kids need you. Why did you have to go? How can I face Tessa all alone now that you’re gone? Please come back. I really need you to come back.” Elena cried as she continuously hit the steering of her car.

* * *

“You’re awake?” Kimberly asked as she saw Stephanie coming downstairs.

“It’s already 8 am, Kimberly,” Stephanie replied.

“I checked and I discovered Mum isn’t in her room. Where did she go this early?” Stephanie asked.

“She went to the hospital. She said she was called from St. Genevieve’s hospital that Dad is in the hospital,” Kimberly replied nonchalantly.

“What happened to Dad? I hope he’s okay?” Stephanie asked, feeling scared already.

“I think he’s fine. Let’s wait for Mum to get back first,” Kimberly replied.

“Can you please call her?” Stephanie asked.

“I don’t have any call credit, and it’s not like Dad is dying. Let’s wait until she gets back,” Kimberly said.

No sooner had she finished speaking than the door was flung open, and Elena walked in. It was evident that she had been crying, as her eyes were reddened and swollen.

“Mum, what’s wrong? How is Dad?” Stephanie asked.

Stephanie was met with an unusual silence from her mother.

“Mummy, what’s the matter?” Kimberly asked.

“Your father is dead,” Elena said, tears streaming down her face.

“You’re joking, right?” Kimberly asked.

“I’m not. I saw him lying there in the morgue, lifeless. I begged him to come home with me, but he didn’t respond. He didn’t even flinch. He didn’t listen to me. I cried. I told him about you, Kimberly, but he wouldn’t move. Your father is gone, Kimberly,” Elena said.

“This can’t be true. What happened to Dad?” Kimberly asked.

“The autopsy results showed that your dad was poisoned,” Elena replied.

“But we all know the last food we ate was Stephanie’s birthday cake. How are we all still alive?” Kimberly asked.

“The last thing your dad consumed was the cup of coffee Stephanie gave him,” Elena replied, her tone suggesting that Stephanie was responsible for Jordan’s death.

“Mum, I didn’t poison Dad. How could you even think that? I’m only ten years old. I didn’t kill Dad,” Stephanie said.

“Then who did, Stephanie? Tell me, who killed your father?” Elena shouted at Stephanie.

“There must be a mistake. I didn’t kill Dad. I swear on my life,” Stephanie protested, on the verge of tears.

“Why did you kill Dad, Stephanie?” Kimberly shouted.

“Kimberly, please believe me. I didn’t kill Dad. Mum, please, I didn’t kill him. Both of you have to listen to me and check…”

“Listen to you so you can feed us more lies, Stephanie? Sometimes I wonder if you’re really ten. Now listen to me, Stephanie. You need to tell me why you did what you did and who gave you the substance you put in your father’s coffee,” Elena said.

“Jesus, do you really believe that I killed Dad?” Stephanie asked, visibly shaken and bewildered.

“Yes, he drank the coffee, but who knows if he ingested something else after leaving here?” Stephanie said, tears streaming down her face.

“Stephanie, please tell me. Did someone give you something to give to Dad? We are your family; we won’t harm you. Just tell us,” Kimberly pleaded.

“Kimberly, I didn’t kill Dad. Nobody gave me anything. I am innocent. I swear on my life, Kim. I didn’t take Dad’s life. Please help me explain to Mum,” Stephanie said, still crying.

She approached her mother, Elena, and knelt in front of her. But as she tried to speak, Elena pushed her so hard that she fell, her elbow hitting the sharp edge of the mirror, causing a deep cut. Despite the pain, Stephanie ignored her injury, determined to establish her innocence.

“Mum, I swear I didn’t kill Dad. You’re falsely accusing me. How can a ten-year-old kill her own father? It’s unheard of. Please, Mum, just listen to me,” Stephanie continued pleading.

“I will make you suffer until you confess why you killed your father and who gave you such a wicked idea,” Elena said, tears streaming down her face.

“Mum, what if I’m found innocent later? Mum, why would I kill Dad? Kimberly, talk to Mum, please,” Stephanie pleaded, disregarding the blood flowing from her fresh wound.

“Don’t call my name ever again. I hate you!” Kimberly shouted as she ran upstairs to her room.

“Now listen to me. I don’t know what has come over you or what evil spirit possesses you, but I will uncover the truth behind why you took your father’s life, my beloved husband. I curse the day I gave birth to a monster like you,” Elena said, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and grief. With tears in her eyes, she went upstairs, leaving Stephanie alone to tend to her wound.

“This isn’t fair. I didn’t kill Dad. I would never harm my father. They need to ask questions. Kimberly and Mum, I am innocent,” Stephanie yelled after her ascending mother on the staircase, her tears choking her and causing her to cough.