Chapter 2
725 Words
Without a trace of emotion, I opened a food-delivery app and ordered a box of cream-filled pastries.
I had a severe dairy allergy, clearly documented in my medical records.
Too much dairy could trigger a serious reaction.
In my previous life, one lie had branded me a suspect.
This time, my ER registration, payment records, nursing rounds, and surveillance footage would clear my name.
I opened the box.
Then I ate the pastries one bite at a time.
The heavy cream made me nauseous.
Still, I swallowed each bite calmly.
When I finished, I took a cab to the ER at Lakeside Medical Center.
I checked in at 7:40 p.m.
By 8 p.m., I was in the infusion room.
A nurse scanned my wristband and frowned.
"Your chart says you have a severe dairy allergy. Why did you eat it?"
I lowered my eyes. "I wasn't paying attention and had too much by accident."
The IV began to drip, the clear fluid falling steadily through the line.
I photographed the IV order, the hospital location, and the ER receipt, then sent everything to Kelsey.
Natalie: I'm sick and getting an IV at the hospital. Be careful tonight. Don't accept drinks from strangers, and never leave your glass unattended. If anything happens, call the police immediately.
Kelsey did not reply. She was probably already lost in the party.
I saved screenshots proving that I had warned her.
Then I called Rachel and turned on the call recorder.
"Rachel, I'm in the ER."
She paused.
"What happened?"
"A stomach bug. I'm getting an IV. Also, Kelsey went out tonight. She isn't with me, so you should call her now."
The line went silent for 2 seconds.
"Didn't she say she was going to your place?"
"No. She asked me to lie and tell you she was here. I refused."
Rachel's voice dropped.
"What are you trying to say, Natalie?"
"I'm saying Kelsey isn't at my house. I haven't seen her, and I don't know where she went."
I spoke slowly, making every word unmistakable.
"You're her mother. Call her now."
I could faintly hear a card table in the background.
"Rachel, are you playing poker again?"
She fought to contain her temper.
"Fine. I heard you. I'll call her later. Stay out of it."
The call ended, and the recording was saved successfully.
I leaned back in the infusion chair and watched darkness settle beyond the window.
In my previous life, I had built Kelsey a false alibi and destroyed my own future.
This time, I demolished that alibi before she could use it.
A little after 9 p.m., Kelsey posted on i********:.
The photo showed only half her face.
Red lips, curled hair, and a sequined camisole glowed against blue and violet lights.
Champagne and a dice cup sat on the table. Beside them was a man's wrist, sporting an expensive watch.
Kelsey: All I want tonight is to have fun.
I did not like the post.
I enlarged the picture and saw the blurred word LANTA printed on a coaster.
In the police file from my previous life, the nightclub had been called LANTA.
I took a screenshot, saved it, and backed it up to the cloud.
A little after 10 p.m., Rachel called me.
The recording started automatically.
"Natalie, is Kelsey at your place or not?"
"She isn't."
"Think. Did she tell you where she was going?"
"She said she was going out. She didn't give me an address."
"You're her cousin. Why didn't you ask?"
The accusation landed like a dull ache in my chest.
Her daughter could never be wrong. Somehow, the blame always had to fall on me.
I answered evenly.
"I warned her to be careful, and I told you she wasn't here."
"Don't give me that useless nonsense!"
Rachel's voice rose to a shriek.
"You're young. You know these places. Look at her i********: and tell me where she is."
I paused for a few seconds, pretending to study the photo before answering.
"It might be LANTA, on the west side."
"You knew all along, didn't you?"
"Rachel, I only guessed from her post. No one can promise that's where she actually is."
"Then go bring her home!"
I turned the video camera toward the IV in the back of my hand.
"I'm in the hospital, getting an IV."
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