He stared at me silently before muttering, “Fine. But be back before noon. I have an important toast planned.”

We stepped outside into the freezing air. Only when we drove away did I check the rearview mirror.

Daniel stood by the window, phone pressed to his ear, watching us leave.

Chapter 2: The Truth Revealed

I drove aimlessly until I pulled into an empty shopping plaza.

“Lily,” I said gently, “why did you write that note?”

She hugged her knees, crying.

“I was hiding during hide-and-seek. In Dad’s office closet. He came in talking on a secret phone.”

My stomach tightened.

“A secret phone?”

“He was talking to a lady. He called her ‘sweetheart.’ He was laughing.”

An affair. My chest burned with anger.

“Is that why you wanted to leave?” I asked.

She shook her head violently.

“No… he said something else…”

She gasped for breath before whispering:

“He said, ‘Don’t worry. She’ll drink the special tea when guests arrive. It will look like a heart attack. Next month we’ll get five million dollars.’”

My world shattered.

The special tea.

The five million.

I remembered that morning — Daniel preparing tea himself, something he never did.

The cup was still sitting on the kitchen counter when we left.

My phone buzzed.

You forgot your purse. Come home. Your tea is still warm.

I checked my coat. No wallet. No ID.

He wanted me back.

He needed me to drink it.

“Are we going to the police?” Lily whispered.

“Yes… but we need proof.”

And the proof was that tea.

Chapter 3: The Evidence

I called Detective Ryan Cole, an old friend.

“Ryan… Daniel is trying to poison me. I’m going back to get the tea.”

“Olivia, do NOT go back alone!”

But I had already made up my mind.

I left Lily locked safely in the car and slipped toward the house.

Through the window, guests laughed and celebrated.

Inside the kitchen, Daniel stood alone… staring at the tea cup.

He checked his watch… then reached for it.

I rushed inside.

“Daniel?”

He jumped but quickly smiled.

“You’re back! Where’s Lily?”

“Asleep in the car,” I lied. “I came for my purse.”

He picked up the cup and handed it toward me.

“Drink your tea first, darling.”

Chapter 4: The Attack

I stepped closer, reaching for the saucer.

But Daniel tightened his grip, eyes turning cold.

“You know, don’t you?” he whispered.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“You and that kid ruined everything,” he snarled. “Drink it.”

“No.”