Chapter 90

Nan’s POV

My brains was in shambles.

I couldn’t think straight. Nothing had terrified me like this before. Not even David’s threats or being nearly drowned by the neighborhood children as a kid.

I knew the sight of Vera’s unconscious, blue tinted face and closing throat would be seared into my brain for the rest of my life.

I desperately turned her over. But there was no signs of choking. Nothing to get out of her throat.

I was too panicked to think properly. To actually register what I was looking at. I would later despise myself for not realizing sooner.

Patti’s own choked sounds made the terror almost physically excruciating. She was not bad off. Her coughs not as serious…yet.

I did not know what to do. I could not leave Vera. Not when she was so bad off.

Yet I could not leave Patti to her fate either. It felt like fate was asking me to pick between my girls. I couldn’t do it.

Irina’s screams did not help. “By the goddess, somebody help us!” She would not stop screaming.

It stung my ears. But somehow it was muffled to me. As though my head were stuck underwater.

People began flooding the kitchen. Pulled in by our desperate screams. Too many questions for me to keep track of in my distressed state.

It was Irina’s nurse who saved the day.

She did a quick snap judgment. “Do the girls have any allergies?”

“Yeah, yes.” I choked out.

She pulled out an EpiPen. “I only have one on me. This one needs it more.”

She stabbed it into Vera’s thigh. I waited with abated breath. Vera made a gurgle sound after a few seconds.

Her color still was not great. But her throat was no longer swelling. It only briefly halted the symptoms.

The nurse did not lose focus. Her eyes immediately scanning Patti next. “Does she have an EpiPen?”

“YES! Yes, it’s in her backpack.” I cried out as I held Vera in my arms.

The nurse turned her attention to the many people in the kitchen. “The other girl is having a less severe reaction. Let’s keep it that way.”

I watched as one of the maids broke from the crowd and raced away. Hopefully to the place we kept their backpacks. I cursed myself for not having another ready at hand.

“Call the doctor.” I order.

The antagonism between me and the staff does not exist. All of our attention is focused on protecting these children. No one questions my decision.

The nurse nods. Her pink scrubs crinkled from the sudden action. “That would be best...they’ll need to make sure Miss Vera’s severe reaction leaves no lasting damage.”

I cradle her closer to me. My other hand placed on Patti’s coughing back. The nurse calmly attends to the other girl.

The maid returns with the EpiPen, panting. Having crossed the vast house in less than a minute. The longest minute of my life.

The nurse administers it to Patti. Her own coughing and red face begin to calm down after several minutes. I try not to shake from my relief.

The doctor arrives quickly. Being paid to stay on call at all times. Having his own little office on the property.

‘Thank the goddess that Lionel is so paranoid.’ I think. I doubt I would have been able to handle dealing with the ER after our scare.

His wrinkled hands lightly examine Vera and Patti. He clucks his tongue. He seems a little concerned.

It at that point that Lionel returns.

Lionel’ POV

The scene I arrived at made my heart race.

‘I was only gone a few hours,’ I think furiously. ‘What the hell happened?’

The kitchen is filled with people. Everyone from the kitchen staff to the launderers. All surrounding a few crouched figures.

Irina is sobbing in the corner. I see our family doctor’s white hair. Dread enters my gut.

I think my heart stops as I finally see what they are surrounding.

Nan is sitting on the floor. Her eyes red and swollen from tears. Her face bloodless and frightened.

A nurse is calmly talking to the doctor. The only person in the room with any sense of calm. But it is not her that my eyes are glued too.

There sit my daughters. Patti crying quietly at Nan’s side. Her big brown eyes shut tight.

Vera is being cradled like a small infant to Nan. Her body slumped unconsciously. Her cheeks terribly flushed.

My feet move before I actively make the choice. I kneel at my family’s side. Worry clogging my voice.

“What happened?” I demand.

Nan’s face twists. “It-it happened so fast. I didn’t- I didn’t know what to-” Her answer is incoherent and jumbled.

I can see that my question is too much for her to handle at the moment. I only lightly put my hand to her cheek. Giving her a small amount of comfort.

Her face scrunches up. Tears gather in her eyes. She is seconds away from losing it.

It is the doctor who answer my question.

“The children had an allergic reaction.” His deep, grandfatherly voice booms. Patti shudders at the sound.

“An allergic reaction?” I ask dumbly.

“Miss Vera’s was much more severe. Thankfully, there was no lasting damage. I administered some extra medicine to flush out any remaining allergens.”

Some of my tension eases. “She will be, okay?”

He peers at them. “She will likely need some rest. But yes.”

Nan speaks in a hoarse voice. “And Patti?”

He smiles kindly at her. “She should be okay too. Her reaction was not as severe.”

She lets out a shaky sigh. “Thank you doctor.”

“No problems. And you should give this astounding young woman some credit. It was her quick thinking that saved the day.”

I turn my attention toward Irina’s nurse. “You have my gratitude.”

The woman in pink returns my look with a friendly smile. “I was only doing my job.”

“If you ever find yourself in need of help,” I add, “reach out to Wolfsbane Industries. I will not forget this.”

“Lionel, it was scary!” Irina comes up to me. Her eyes wide.

But I am not in the mood for her hysterics. My daughters need me. So I politely pull myself out of her reach.

“I’m sure it was. Ms. Elaine will take you back to your home in a little while. I think everyone needs some rest after today’s excitement.”

The nurse steps forward. Ready to take control of her charge once more. Yet Nan’s question halts all activity.

“Doctor, how could this have happened?” Nan voices.

The old doctor shrugs. “These things happen. It was most likely from something they ate.”

Nan froze. “What?”

He begins explaining. “For Vera to have had such a severe reaction…it was more than just cross contamination.”

I watch a look of fear appear in her eyes. “I made lunch for them today…”

I step forward. “Nan. It was probably an accident.”

“No. I kept a list of things they are allergic too on hand. I have personally made sure nothing they are allergic too even comes into contact with my meals.”

The doctor steps forward. “May I take another look at this list? And perhaps the girls’ lunch?”

Nan gestures to the area. She wasn’t kidding. There is a list of foods crossed out taped to the cabinets.

The doctor takes a light sample of the soup sitting on the stove innocently. He inhales deeply. Letting his tongue lightly taste the flavor.

His eyes go back up to the list. Nan watches anxiously. Wringing her hands together.

I reach out and softly grab them. Holding them in my own. I give her my most reassuring look.

Nan smile weakly.

“Hmm.” The doctor hums. “I think I found the cause.”

He holds up a bottle of soy sauce sitting near the stove that I had not seen. Nan’s eyebrows furrow. But Irina gasps loudly.

All eyes turn to her. “Irina, did you add that?” I ask.

“No. But I saw Nan adding it.” She claims.

Nan’s head whips to her. “What? That’s impossible!”

Irina glares back. “Yet clearly the soy sauce is in there. How else you it have gotten in there?”

“Did you maybe add it without thinking?” Nan asks desperately.

Irina does not respond lightly to that.

“I added what you told me too.” Irina snaps.

“How dare you blame me? You did this! Your negligence almost killed my nieces!”