By dawn, with no word from Elizabeth, Victoria couldn’t stay silent. She pulled Marina aside in the Carter living room, the morning light streaming through the bay window.
- I saw Emily put something in your tea last night, she said, her voice low. I switched the glasses when she wasn’t looking. That’s why she’s in the hospital.
Marina’s jaw dropped, her coffee mug nearly slipping from her hand.
- So, Emily tried to poison me? she gasped. That little snake! She played all sweet, apologizing, acting like she wanted to fix things. But she couldn’t resist screwing me over. Unbelievable!
- I never trusted her, Victoria said, folding her arms. It’s written all over her face, Marina. Sisterly love? Give me a break. She hates you, and that doesn’t just disappear in a few weeks. I don’t know what she used, but it must be bad if she’s still at St. Luke’s. Call your mom, find out what’s going on. I moved the glasses, so if anything happens to Emily…
- Doesn’t matter, Marina cut in, her voice sharp. If you hadn’t switched them, I’d be the one hooked up to an IV right now. Let Emily deal with it. I actually believed she’d changed, but nope—she’s still the same vindictive brat.
Marina’s anger was a wildfire, burning hotter than anything she’d felt before. Her sister, whom she’d forgiven despite the pain of their past, had betrayed her in the worst way. She couldn’t wait to confront Emily and lay it all bare in front of their mother. Every minute waiting for Elizabeth’s call felt like an eternity, her mind racing with what she’d say.
When Elizabeth finally called, Marina sped to St. Luke’s, her hands gripping the steering wheel. She was done—done with Emily’s schemes, done with her mother’s blind defense of her. She vowed to cut them both out of her life for good.
- That’s it, she told Michael that night, pacing their bedroom in Meridian. I’m done, Michael. I won’t let them near us again. They can live their lives, but we’re out. No more drama, no more games.
Michael nodded, his face heavy with guilt. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d set this all in motion. If he’d ended things with Emily cleanly, back when his heart first started drifting, maybe none of this would’ve happened.
- Stop it, Marina said when he voiced his regrets, her tone softening. This isn’t on you. Emily’s always been selfish. She’s just pissed you chose me, so she’s lashing out. We don’t have to put up with her nonsense.
Elizabeth, when Marina confronted her, refused to believe Emily would tamper with the tea.
- Mom, are you serious? Marina snapped over the phone, her voice rising. Victoria saw it with her own eyes! Can you stop defending Emily for once? She’s not some innocent angel—she hates me, and you know it. Why do we keep pretending everything’s fine?
Elizabeth was torn. In her heart, she blamed Marina for stealing Michael, but she also wanted both daughters to find happiness. The situation was a tangle of loyalties, with no clear path forward. Marina, fed up, went silent, cutting off contact with her mom and sister for six months. She threw herself into her life with Michael, their marriage a warm cocoon of joy. When she found out she was pregnant, the old wounds felt less raw, buried under the excitement of starting a family.