Chapter 11 - The Syringe At Her Throat.
Emily's breath came in short, terrified bursts beneath Vanessa's arm.
The syringe hovered against the pale skin just below her jaw.
Emma could see the clear liquid trembling inside the barrel.
Vanessa no longer looked polished or powerful.
Her blonde hair had fallen loose around her face, her jacket was torn at one shoulder, and panic had sharpened every line around her mouth.
"Put the gun down," she told Elena.
Elena kept the pistol steady.
"You won't inject her."
Vanessa laughed once.
"You don't know what I've already done."
Dr. Mercer took one slow step forward.
"What is in the syringe?"
Vanessa pressed it closer.
"Ask Marcus."
Vale stood in the hall between two officers, his restrained wrists visible against his white coat.
For the first time, he looked frightened of Vanessa.
"Don't use that," he said.
Vanessa turned her eyes toward him.
"You told me it would only sedate her."
Vale swallowed.
"Not at that dose."
Emma felt her knees weaken.
Daniel moved in front of her.
"Vanessa, listen to me."
"No."
Her voice broke.
"I listened to you for years."
"I smiled at dinners while Arthur treated me like hired help."
"I raised Emma while you chased ghosts."
Emma stepped around Daniel.
"You didn't raise me."
Vanessa's eyes flicked toward her.
Emma forced herself not to look at the syringe.
"You watched me."
"You controlled me."
"You lied every time I asked where Papa went."
Vanessa's face twisted.
"I kept you alive."
Emma pointed toward Margaret.
"For her?"
Margaret's composure cracked.
"Vanessa, do not involve me in your mistakes."
Vanessa stared at her.
That sentence changed something.
Years of fear and obedience suddenly turned visible in Vanessa's face.
"My mistakes?"
Margaret said nothing.
Vanessa laughed again, but this time tears filled her eyes.
"You chose me because I had no family."
"You paid my law school tuition."
"You put me inside Daniel's life."
Daniel went still.
Emma stared at Margaret.
Vanessa continued.
"You told me if I controlled Emma, I would finally belong somewhere."
Margaret's voice became cold.
"And instead you became weak."
Vanessa's hand trembled.
Emily suddenly bit down hard on Vanessa's wrist.
Vanessa screamed.
The syringe fell.
Emma kicked it beneath a chair.
Elena crossed the room in two steps and pulled Emily free.
Daniel tackled Vanessa against the wall.
The officers rushed in.
For a moment, it looked over.
Then Margaret moved.
She grabbed the fallen syringe from beneath the chair before anyone saw her bend down.
Emma saw it.
Margaret stepped behind Daniel.
"Papa!"
Daniel turned just as Margaret drove the needle toward his neck.
Thomas slammed into her from the side.
The syringe struck his upper arm instead.
Margaret fell.
Thomas ripped the needle out, but half the liquid was already gone.
Dr. Mercer grabbed him.
"Get him on the floor."
Thomas tried to speak.
His knees folded.
As the doctor checked his pulse, Margaret sat against the wall and laughed softly.
"You are all fighting over scraps."
Emma looked at her.
"What scraps?"
Margaret's smile returned.
"Arthur's trust is empty."
Daniel froze.
Margaret leaned her head against the wall.
"The money disappeared this morning."
"Every dollar."
Emma looked toward Vanessa.
Vanessa had stopped struggling.
Her face was suddenly more terrified than before.
"She moved it?" Daniel demanded.
Vanessa whispered, "No."
May you like
Then her eyes turned toward Emma's grey stuffed bunny.
"Arthur did."
