I stared at the doctor in shock. “Antihistamines? But… I haven’t taken any medication. I’ve been terrified of taking anything during my pregnancy.”
“We know,” Dr. Martinez replied, tapping his tablet. “Which means it was ingested unknowingly. The toxicity report shows it was administered roughly an hour before you fainted on that balcony. It caused your blood pressure to plummet rapidly. Combined with the freezing temperatures constricting your blood vessels, it created a perfect, near-fatal storm for your uterus.”
The room went dead silent. Alejandro turned slowly to look at his sister.
Paola’s face drained of color so fast she looked like a ghost. “I… I didn’t… she was just being clumsy…”
“You made the spiced cider before dinner, Paola,” Alejandro said, his voice dropping to a dangerous, quiet whisper as the pieces clicked together. “You spent the whole afternoon complaining that Elena was too energetic, that she was trying to outshine Mom’s hosting by staying on her feet. You crushed sleeping pills into her drink to force her to go to bed, didn’t you?”
“I just wanted her to sit down and stop acting so perfect!” Paola shrieked, bursting into panicked tears. “I didn’t want to hurt the baby! I just wanted her to look tired so everyone would see she’s weak!”
Doña Victoria let out a horrified gasp, covering her mouth as she backed away from her own daughter.
Alejandro didn’t yell. He simply walked to the bedside, took my hand, and looked at the doctor. “Dr. Martinez, we need a certified copy of that toxicology report. The police are already on their way to take my wife’s statement about the balcony, and they’ll be very interested in this update.”
“No! Alejandro, please! I’m your sister!” Paola sobbed, reaching for him, but he blocked her with his shoulder.
“You aren’t a sister,” Alejandro said coldly, pointing toward the door. “And you aren’t family. Get out of our sight before the bailiffs arrive to escort you.”
Doña Victoria didn’t defend her daughter this time. She quietly followed Paola out into the hallway, where the faint sound of approaching security guards could already be heard.
Alejandro turned back to me, kissing my knuckles as a single tear slipped down his cheek. “I’m so sorry, Elena. I should have protected you sooner. No one is ever going to hurt you or our boy again.”
I pulled his hand to my belly, where our son gave a gentle, strong kick. The nightmare was over. The truth was out, and the toxic parts of the family had finally been cast out into the cold.
