Chapter 3 - PRESTON’S FIRST VERSION
Preston admitted giving Serena the bottle.
He denied knowing she would put its contents into Madeline’s drink.
“It was mine.”
Madeline stared at him.
“What was yours?”
“A sleep medication.”
Serena looked furious.
“Preston.”
“Stop.”
He finally turned on her.
“It was prescribed to me months ago. I barely used it.”
Madeline’s stomach tightened.
“Why did Serena have it?”
Preston hesitated.
That hesitation mattered.
“She asked for it.”
“Why?”
“She said she wasn’t sleeping.”
Serena immediately interrupted.
“That is not what happened.”
Preston looked at her.
Madeline watched both of them.
Two stories.
Neither complete.
Serena claimed Preston had handed her the bottle Sunday because he wanted Madeline to “finally get some rest.”
Preston denied that.
Madeline’s knees suddenly felt weak.
She gripped the island.
“You gave someone medication to put in my drink?”
“No.”
“That’s what she just said.”
“I gave Serena the bottle. I didn’t tell her to give it to you.”
Serena laughed once.
Cold.
“You really want to do this?”
Preston’s face tightened.
Madeline understood the relationship in the room had changed.
Serena had expected Preston to protect her.
Preston had expected Serena to stay quiet.
Neither had expected Poppy.
Madeline picked up her phone.
Preston’s eyes widened.
“Who are you calling?”
“My sister.”
“Madeline—”
“And then I’m calling the police.”
Serena stepped forward.
“This is ridiculous.”
Madeline looked at the broken glass.
“You just put something into my milk after I spent three days in the hospital.”
Silence.
“That stopped being a family disagreement.”
Madeline’s sister Natalie arrived twenty minutes later and took Poppy upstairs.
Police and paramedics followed.
Madeline did not feel victorious.
She felt exhausted.
The bottle was collected.
The broken glass remained where it had fallen until officers documented the kitchen.
Preston voluntarily answered initial questions.
Serena stopped answering once she contacted an attorney.
That evening Madeline and Poppy left with Natalie.
Preston stood at the front door.
“Please let me explain.”
Madeline paused.
“You had three days beside my hospital bed.”
May you like
He looked down.
“That was when you were supposed to explain.”
