Just as my anxiety peaked, Joshua Harris stepped out of the hospital room, holding a report in his hand. His eyes were filled with confusion as he studied the document.
I rushed forward, my worry evident.
"Dr. Harris, are the results in? What's wrong with Jessica?"
Joshua frowned, giving me a disapproving look.
"She has traces of benzodiazepines in her system."
His words left me stunned.
"What do you mean by ‘benzo-something'? What is that?"
Ava, looking equally puzzled, turned to me.
"That's a type of sedative! Laura, is Jessica taking sleeping pills?"
"No, absolutely not."
I was completely bewildered as I glanced at Jessica, who was clutching her math workbook.
"Jessica, have you been taking sleeping pills?"
"No," she responded earnestly, shaking her head.
"Then something's wrong," Joshua said, handing the report to me.
"Based on the results and what you've told me, she's been consuming these pills for at least two weeks. Sleeping pills can be harmful, especially for someone her age. Drowsiness is just the beginning. If she keeps taking them, there's a risk of death from respiratory failure during sleep!"
Two weeks?
Two weeks!
The number sent a chill down my spine.
It was exactly two weeks ago that Mia moved into our house.
Thinking back, I realized Jessica's sleepiness started right after Mia's arrival.
I suddenly remembered the glass of milk from last night.
"Jessica, has your grandmother been giving you milk every night?"
Jessica nodded.
"Sometimes I don't want it, but Grandma makes me drink it anyway."
Upon hearing this, a wild suspicion began to take shape in my mind.
I thought, "Could it be that Mia has been spiking my daughter's milk with sleeping pills?
But why would she do that?
Even if she doesn't like me, Jessica is still her biological granddaughter!"
As the full realization hit me, my anger boiled over like a pot of water on the verge of spilling.
I said goodbye to Ava, who was watching me with concern.
After dropping Jessica off at school with a bag of medication, I sat in my car and broke down in tears.
Jessica was so close to being killed.
I told myself I couldn't let this go, and I needed to get justice for Jessica.
I thought it over for a long time. I knew I couldn't confront Mia without evidence. With her flair for drama, she'd never admit to anything.
I needed to catch her in the act.
"I have to stay calm, not give myself away."
I reminded myself sternly.