said. “How is he still standing?” Lauren’s voice stayed calm. “I doubled

the dose,” she replied. “This morning in his green juice, Evan let out a small

laugh. and he still went to work. Lauren’s face tightened. Then tonight

we’ll fix it. The words hit Raphael like a hard slap. Every dizzy spell. Every

weak morning. The times he had to sit down in his office and pretend he was fine. He had blamed long hours. He had

blamed age. He had blamed anything except this. His own wife, his own

brother. Cynthia’s fingers gripped his wrist steady and firm. She was telling

him, “Stay quiet. Stay alive.” Lauren turned toward the kitchen. Raphael

pulled back into the closet as her heels clicked closer, then stopped. A drawer

opened. Metal clinkedked. A spoon stirred in glass. Lauren spoke again.

“Lower now. Cynthia has been watching me.” Evan answered sharp. “Then get rid

of her,” Lauren sighed. After tonight, Cynthia did not blink. Her face showed

pain for one second, then control. Like she had already decided what she would do. Lauren walked away. The footsteps

faded. Raphael leaned against the shelf, trying to keep his legs steady. Cynthia

waited, listening until the house went quiet again. Then she opened the door

and motioned. They slipped into the back hallway, the one staff used. Raphael’s

throat was dry. Cynthia, he whispered. Why are you doing this? She did not

waste time. Because they are killing you, she said. And because I saw it,

Raphael shook his head like that could erase what he heard. I need proof, he

said. I need to face them. Cynthia grabbed his sleeve and held him back.

Not here, she said. Not today. This is my home, Raphael whispered. Cynthia’s

voice softened, but it stayed strong. It is their trap,” she said. “This house is

the fastest place for you to die.” A door closed upstairs. Both of them froze. Cynthia pulled him toward the

side exit. They passed the kitchen counter. The green juice sat there ready