"I am sorry but I just need to use the restroom", Vera responded.
She wriggled her hand free from Aaron grip but then she felt a wave of dizziness slammed into her like a crashing tide. She shook her head lightly to regain her focus.
She gripped the table instinctively, her knuckles turning white. The room around her spun slightly, and for a brief second, she felt weightless, as though her body wasn’t her own.
A strange numbness hit her nerves crawling up her fingers, slowly spreading to her arms. Her breath hitched as her heart pounded erratically, beating against her ribs.
She swallowed hard, as she struggled to ease the sudden dryness in her throat, but even the action felt strenuous for her. She struggled to gather her composure but it seems tedious.
Jessica, who had been observing her quietly, tilted her head. "Sister-in-law, are you alright?" Her voice was smooth, calm—too calm. The gazes of the people on the table rested on her.
Vera’s stomach twisted uncomfortably. It wasn’t the food—it was the drink. She had made sure to prepare it herself.
She had only intended to make Jessica weak and sickly not to kill her but only to humiliate her in front of the entire family — a momentary weakness, mild paralysis in the limbs, and delayed cognitive processing.
It isn’t too much for the pain she has felt since their arrival but no—she is the one experiencing those exact symptoms. How unfair!
Vera’s mind raced, replaying every step of her plan. She had been careful—meticulous and concise.
Her gaze snapped to Jessica, who was sipping her lemon juice with an air of leisure, her expression calm and mocking. Vera’s stomach dropped.
Her fingers twitched uncontrollably as a cold sweat formed on her forehead. The drug was working fast—faster than expected. Her knees wobbled when she tried to move, a sense of weakness overtaking her body, drowning it whole.
"No! I can’t make a mess of myself here. I need to get out" She mused. Gathering every ounce of strength she could muster.
"I— I need the restroom," she muttered as she pushed past Aaron struggling to steady herself.
Jessica placed her glass down and leaned back slightly. "Sister-in-law, are you feeling unwell, do you need my assistance?" she asked, with all seriousness.
Vera didn’t respond. She focused all her energy on making it to the restroom without collapsing. Each step felt heavier, her movement sluggish and uncooperative. Her vision blurry, and her ears rang with a faint buzzing sound.
"Am I also hallucinating?" She muttered.
By the time she reached the sink, her hands were shaking uncontrollably. She gripped the porcelain tightly, breathing heavily as she looked at her reflection in the mirror.
Her face was pale with beads of hot sweat trickling down her temple. Her pupils were dilated, her lips slightly parted as she gasped for breath. "No, I can’t lose consciousness, I can’t let her..." She muttered frantically.
"No, no, my fingers...my fingers, they can’t move... Impossible", she muttered continuously, her heart seizing in panic.
She tried to curl her fingers into a fist, but her muscles refused to obey. It was as though her body is no longer in cognizance with her mind. "Things are getting out of control" She thought. "My phone, my phone....I need to make a call" She muttered struggling to hold herself up but no—her body is disobedient.
This isn’t supposed to be this way. I followed the instructions and administered the right dosage. It is only meant for her to experience weakness. But this... this felt stronger.
"Is there a mistake? Or a wrong administration ...." She mused. Her mind spinning rapidly with possibilities of the causes of the strong effect of the drug.
Her chest tightened as another realization struck her. The drug was known for amplifying its effects when mixed with acidic substances.
"Oh! No, Orange ... Acidic...."
She had given Jessica an orange juice but she had accepted the drink not recalling the drugs reaction with acid.
Vera couldn’t believe she had been hit with the stone she prepared for Jessica. A nauseating wave of helplessness crashed into her as she realized the situation.
"It seems Jessica had known and insisted she switch the drink ", she mused, a smile of self mockery on her lips.
The dizziness intensified, her body swaying dangerously. A choked gasp left Vera’s lips as the weight of her failure settled in. Her own scheme had backfired, trapping her in a body that was quickly shutting down.
She felt the tears gathering in eyes, threatening to fall at anytime. She can’t let anyone see her in this state. She has to do something—
Her vision darkened, her knees giving out as she slid to the floor, barely able to move, a soft knock sounded at the door.
"Vera, are you okay?" Jessica’s voice came through the door, her tone calm and unhurried.
Mustering as much strength as she can "Am ... okay", she replied, her breath coming in gasps.
"You’re not feeling weak, are you?" Jessica pressed on. She couldn’t help laughing at the thought of Vera struggling to cover up how she felt when it is quite impossible.
Vera’s blood ran cold, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she sat slumped against the cold bathroom wall, her limbs trembling uncontrollably. A cruel reminder of her failed plot. It is unbelievable that she has lost to Jessica three consecutive times this evening - the arrival, the fall and now the drink.
The knock came again, more insistent this time.
"Vera, should I come in?" Jessica’s voice was calm - to Vera it was filled with mockery of her failure.
Vera tried to respond, but her tongue felt heavy in her mouth. Her body refused to cooperate and her response remained a still silence.
The door handle twisted, and in the next moment, Jessica stepped inside, her expression neutral yet piercing. Slowly, she shut the door behind her with a quiet click, trapping Vera within the small space.
"What... do you.... want?" Vera asked with cold face. She hates it, "Why isn’t it Jessica the one suffering?"