Chapter 3 The Scheme
1107 Words
"Honey," I called out with excitement in my tone.
Seeing Nahum rushing toward me, I almost wanted to run straight into his arms, but the sight of that bowl in his hands stopped me cold.
"You shouldn't be out here, babe. Let's get you back to the room," Nahum said as he reached me. He eyed me up and down, his gaze landing on my bare feet.
In my haste, I had forgotten to slip on shoes.
He stepped forward, draped an arm around my shoulders, and chided in a gentle tone, "Sweetheart, you forgot your shoes again. It's getting windy outside. Be careful not to catch a cold."
Nahum's tone was tender and warm.
Under his careful attention, we returned to our bedroom.
He set the bowl aside, lifted me gently onto the bed, and tucked me in. Then, he took my hands in his and blew on them to warm them up.
He playfully scolded me, "Look, your hands are cold. Promise me not to get out of bed without shoes anymore."
Feeling the warmth from Nahum, I bit my lower lip and held back tears.
His gentle care and reassuring tone gradually melted the fear inside me.
"Feeling warmer now?" he asked, still holding my hands.
I nodded with a smile. "Yeah, much warmer now."
"Good, how about taking your tonic now?" He flashed a gentle smile, reaching for the bowl and blowing on it. "Here, let me help you."
"No." Just as Nahum was about to bring the spoon to my lips, I stopped him.
Nahum's eyes narrowed slightly, his face puzzled.
I immediately explained, "Honey, I can't take this tonic anymore. It's..."
"Sir." Before I could utter the words 'poisonous', Amanda's voice chimed in from the doorway. She was all smiles as usual.
Seeing her walk toward us, I instinctively moved closer to Nahum.
"She won't be drinking that," Amanda said, her tone serious as she took the bowl from Nahum, her eyes fixed on me.
From her words, it seemed like she might have suspected something.
"This tonic is tough to swallow; she probably wouldn't be so brave if you were here." Amanda put on her usual kind facade.
Thankfully, she hadn't discovered anything.
"I'll step out then," Nahum said, picking up on her cue. He was worried that with him around, I'd fuss over the bitter taste of the tonic.
He turned to me and coaxed, "Honey, I know it tastes awful, but it's good for you and our baby. Can you hang in there a bit longer?"
He was about to get up when I quickly grasped his hand, pleading, "No, don't go."
At that moment, my eyes accidentally met Amanda's—her gaze was icy, sending shivers down my spine.
Almost instinctively, my grip on Nahum's hand started to shake.
Nahum seemed to notice my distress and followed my gaze to Amanda's face.
Then, he turned to her and said, "Amanda, can you step out for now?"
"But the tonic..." Amanda seemed taken aback by Nahum's request, her expression faltering.
Before she could finish, Nahum cut her off firmly. "Just put it down."
"Alright." Amanda stared at the bowl for a moment before setting it down.
As she left, she shot me a piercing look. Even with Nahum by my side, that look still frightened me.
"Honey, can we ask Amanda to leave the estate?" I blurted out as soon as Amanda was gone, my fingers still clutching Nahum's arm tightly.
"Why?" Nahum looked puzzled, and he asked, "Isn't she taking good care of you?"
He tried to reassure me and continued, "Babe, Amanda's a skilled doctor. I'm at ease with her around."
"No, " I immediately interrupted him. "She's trying to hurt me. The tonic she's giving me is poisonous."
But as I spoke, a ringtone suddenly blared, drowning out my last few words.
I wasn't sure if Nahum had caught those crucial words.
He pulled out his phone and checked the caller ID, his expression instantly turning stern.
He then told me with a stroke on my head, "Darling, hold on a sec. It's about work."
Nahum had only been home for a short while, and work stuff was already calling him back. He was always so busy, all to give me a better life and try to make up for the care I'd been missing since seven years ago.
But right now, none of that mattered. I just wanted him to know the truth, to see Amanda's scheme for what it was.
"Honey, what I was saying..." I clutched at his sleeve, desperate to explain.
With his phone in hand, Nahum was clearly distracted and a bit rushed. He patted my hand, trying to soothe me. "Rest up a bit, alright? I need to take this call. I'll be right back to stay with you, okay?"
Before I could respond, Nahum had already left the bedroom.
With his departure, a wave of unease washed over me, leaving me feeling utterly vulnerable.
Anxiety gnawed at me, and I didn't know what to do. My eyes darted around, trying to seek something to calm me down.
A breeze from the window wafted in, bringing the stench from the bowl to my nose, and the smell immediately turned my stomach. I had never imagined Amanda would hurt me or my unborn child.
Fueled by a sudden burst of anger, I jumped out of bed and dumped the contents of the bowl into the toilet.
Whatever Amanda's reasons, I wasn't going to let her continue to hurt me.
"Do you really care about her that much? Tell me, have you fallen for her?" Amanda's accusatory and whiny voice suddenly came from the slightly ajar door while I waited for Nahum to return.
I tiptoed to the door and peeked through the c***k. I saw Amanda standing at the study door.
And opposite she stood none other than my husband Nahum.
The sight froze me in my tracks...
Dressed in a provocative nightgown, Amanda was beating Nahum's chest and berating him, "What if you really fall for her? What about us? Have you thought about what will happen to us?"
"Calm down, Amanda." Nahum's voice was low as he grabbed her wrist to stop her.
He added, "Can't you see? She's starting to suspect. The call that made me come home today should tell you you've slipped up. If I don't show her more love and care, and she catches some real evidence, then all our plans over the years are ruined."
As Nahum's words sank in, I staggered back. My mind buzzed, and everything in my mind went blank.
- Writer
