THE LOST HEIRESS RETURNS AFTER DIVORCE

The hallway was quiet and cold. Heather stood in the corner, leaning against the wall, arms crossed. Her head was still spinning, trying to make sense of what had happened. Everything felt unreal. She never really like hospitals cause her last encounter wasn't the most pleasant.

Lauren and Evelyn sat together on a bench. Evelyn held a handkerchief to her eyes while Lauren clung to her like a scared child. Their tears felt like a performance, but Heather didn't say anything. She stayed quiet, keeping her distance.

Caius sat on another bench, not far from them. His elbows rested on his knees, his hands clasped together. He didn't say much. Everyone seemed lost in their own thoughts.

Lauren turned to Caius, "Honey, I'm thirty."

"You know where the vending machine is."

Evelyn frowned. "She's thirsty, Caius. Be a gentleman."

Caius walked to the end of the hallway, where the vending machine was. Lauren smiled as he walked back. There was faint footsteps approaching but Heather was too worried to even notice. Someone held out a bottle of water before her. She looked at it, then up.

"I thought you might be thirsty."

"I don't want it." She said curtly.

"It's just water."

"I said I don't want it." Her eyes locked onto his as if daring him to push further.

He sighed, lowering the bottle but not putting it away.

The door to her father's room finally opened, and the doctor walked out. His hands were behind his back. His face was serious. Lauren stood up and ran toward him, throwing herself to the ground at his feet, the moment she saw him.

"Doctor, tell me he's okay!" she cried, grabbing his legs. "Is he okay?"

Heather blinked in disbelief. Was she serious? Even the doctor looked uncomfortable, his eyes went around as if he was looking for an escape. Caius walked over, gently pulling Lauren back.

"Let him speak," he said firmly.

Lauren sniffled and stood. She fixed her dress as if nothing had just happened. Evelyn patted her shoulder, whispering something about staying strong.

The doctor adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. "Mr. Lionel was poisoned," he said slowly.

Evelyn gasped. Her hands flee to her chest.

"Poisoned? Oh no! Who would do such a thing?" she exclaimed. Lauren mirrored her reaction perfectly, covering her mouth with her trembling hands.

"Is he okay now?" Caius asked, his voice calm but firm.

The doctor gave a small nod. "We managed to flush the poison out before it caused further damage to his organs."

"Further damage to his organs?" Heather stepped forward.

He adjusted his glasses again.

Evelyn struggled against his grip. She was pointing at Heather. "You poisoned him! You did this!"

"What?" Heather's eyes widened as she stepped back. She was looking at everyone in the room. "I didn't poison him! Why would I do that?"

Evelyn turned to the doctor. "Doctor, what about water? If the poison was in water, would it act that fast?"

The doctor adjusted his glasses again, nodding. "Yes, water would speed up the effects of the poison."

And just like that, all eyes turned to Heather. Caius, Evelyn, Lauren, even the doctor looked at her, though he seemed more confused than accusatory. Heather's chest tightened. What was happening? Why were they looking at her like that?

"I didn't... I-I didn't... No." her voice was shaking. "I didn't poison him." for someone's who's innocent, stuttering wasn't helping her situation.

"Then how did the poison get into his body right after he drank the water you brought him?"

Heather felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. She tried to remember back to earlier, to the kitchen, to the phone call from Penny. "I told the maid to get the water," she said quickly. "I stepped away to make a call. I didn't even pour it myself."