Morning light streamed through the terrace windows as I arranged the breakfast settings. The Hamptons estate was peaceful at this hour, the ocean breeze carrying the scent of salt and expensive flowers. I'd risen early, unable to sleep after last night's confrontation with Reed.
"Elina, darling, you're up early."
I turned to find Camille gliding into the breakfast room, her silk robe flowing behind her like a cape. Her smile didn't reach her eyes.
"Just making some herbal tea," I replied, gesturing to the kettle. "It helps with morning sickness."
Camille's expression tightened almost imperceptibly. "How... thoughtful."
The door swung open again, and the eldest Harper brother strode in—followed by a woman I didn't recognize. She was young, probably in her early twenties, with auburn hair and a delicate features. Her hand rested protectively over her slightly rounded belly.
"This is Melissa," he announced without preamble. "She'll be joining us for breakfast."
The room fell silent. Camille's face froze, her knuckles whitening around her coffee cup.
"How lovely to meet you," I said, breaking the awkward silence. "Please, sit down."
Melissa smiled gratefully, her eyes darting nervously between Camille and me.
"I brought something that might help," I told her, retrieving a small tin from my bag. "It's a special blend of ginger and mint. My mother used it when she was expecting."
"Thank you," Melissa whispered, accepting the tin with trembling fingers.
Camille watched our exchange with calculating eyes, her smile never wavering though her gaze had turned glacial.
---
Later that morning, I headed to the shower, leaving my bag on the bathroom counter. The steam had barely filled the room when I heard the bathroom door open and close softly.
I shut off the water, listening. The bathroom was silent, but I could swear I'd heard footsteps.
Wrapping myself in a towel, I peeked out to find everything as I'd left it—except my tea tin was slightly out of alignment.
---
"Would you mind brewing me another cup?" Melissa asked as we gathered on the terrace for afternoon tea. "That morning blend was wonderful."
"Of course," I said, taking the tin from my bag.
The terrace overlooked the ocean, white chairs arranged in a semicircle around a low table. Reed sat at the far end, his attention fixed on his phone. Camille hovered nearby, watching me with predatory interest.
I prepared the tea carefully, measuring the leaves into the infuser. "This is a special blend for pregnancy," I explained to Melissa. "It has raspberry leaf and nettle—good for iron."
"Elina is quite the herbalist," Camille remarked, her voice honey-sweet. "Always brewing something."
I handed Melissa the cup, our fingers brushing briefly. "It might be a bit strong at first, but it should settle your stomach."
She took a sip, then another. "This is delicious."
The conversation flowed around us—investments, summer homes, the latest gallery opening. I watched Melissa's face, expecting to see relief as the tea took effect.
Instead, her expression contorted suddenly. She clutched her stomach, the teacup shattering on the flagstones as she doubled over.
"Help!" she gasped, her face draining of color. "Something's wrong!"
I rushed to her side, but Camille was faster.
"She poisoned her!" Camille screamed, pointing at me with a manicured finger. "I saw her putting something in the cup!"
Melissa collapsed onto the terrace tiles, her body convulsing. Blood seeped through her white dress where her hands pressed against her abdomen.
The eldest Harper brother knelt beside her, his face contorted with rage. "If anything happens to my child," he snarled at me, "I'll kill you."
Reed stood frozen, his eyes darting between me and Camille.
"I didn't—" I started, but Camille was already rummaging through my bag.
"Look!" she cried triumphantly, holding up a small vial filled with clear liquid. "She had this hidden with her tea leaves!"
The vial hadn't been there before. I would have sworn to it.
"That's not mine," I protested, but my voice was drowned out by the chaos.
The family doctor rushed onto the terrace, kneeling beside Melissa. "We need to get her to the hospital now!"
As they carried Melissa away, the eldest Harper brother turned to me, his eyes cold with fury. "If I lose my heir because of you," he said quietly, "there won't be enough left of you to bury."
