Chapter 5: The Poison Takes Hold

Sarah’s POV

I was Sarah Quinn. Three years ago, when Luke found me and asked if I was the girl who saved him, I admitted it. Since then, I became that special girl in his heart. I was supposed to marry him and become Mrs. Carter, but then Tara Taylor suddenly appeared. This deceitful woman ingratiated herself with Luke's grandmother and sister, and replaced me in marrying him.

But it didn’t matter, because Luke didn't really like her. For the past three years, he had always been attentive and caring towards me. Poor Tara, she had to watch her husband show concern for another woman. To truly become Mrs. Carter, I needed to have a relationship with Luke and then marry him. However, he seemed unwilling to do that.

So I took Mesmer myself, which was said to be a powerful aphrodisiac.

Through half-closed eyes, I watched Luke pace the hospital corridor now. He looked nervous with all sharp jawline and furrowed brow. His expensive Italian shoes clicked against the floor. Each step meant another moment he spent worrying about me.

I adjusted my position in bed. The carefully measured breaths, the way I let my designer nightgown slip just enough off one shoulder to look vulnerable but not vulgar. It took me three months to learn how to play innocent.

When his phone rang, I held my breath. Everything was going perfectly until Luke asked, "Red Falcon has cancelled?"

Damn it. My fingers clenched in the sheets. This wasn't part of the plan.

Luke's voice cracked with desperation.

Ten billion dollars - that was how much Luke valued my life. The thought of Tara's face when she heard the number almost made me break character.

The crash of his phone hitting the wall made me jump. I reminded myself, Sarah, smile.

"Find Red Falcon," he snarled, his voice thick with rage. "I don't care what it takes."

I let out a small whimper, just enough to draw attention. Luke's head snapped toward my room exactly as expected, but I held up one finger, gesturing at my ringing phone. He nodded gently, and stepped back to give me privacy.

Once his footsteps faded, I answered the call. "Tell me you have good news."

"Red Falcon is exactly who we thought." The voice on the other end was barely above a whisper. "The creator of Mesmer. But Red Falcon refused your treatment."

A smile spread across my face. "That’s fine. Having the creator of the poison refuse to treat me will drive Luke absolutely mad with worry."

I glanced at the door, lowering my voice further. "Luke nearly broke down when he heard they cancelled. Ten billion dollars, can you believe it? He'd pay anything to save me."

"The dosage won't actually kill you, right?"

I had to stifle a laugh. "Please. Just enough to make it look serious. I've timed everything perfectly. I’ll decide the symptoms if I want. All it takes is a little acting."

"And the first Mrs. Carter?"

"Tara?" I spat the name like it tasted bad. "I slowly take her place. By the time she realizes what's happening, I'll be firmly installed as the new Mrs. Carter."

I traced the IV line with one finger. “Luke's like a lost puppy - he just needs someone to love him, protect him, give him the family he's always wanted.”

A noise in the hallway made me pause. "I'm hanging up. Make sure the next phase is ready. I don't want any surprises ruining my plan."

I ended the call just as Luke's footsteps returned. I quickly pretended to be innocent, letting my voice tremble slightly. "Luke? Is everything alright? I heard noises..."

The fury melted from his face the moment he saw me. Tara might have had him for three years, but she never understood him like I did.

---

Luke’s POV

My coffee had gone cold again. I barely noticed, too focused on the security footage playing on my phone. The figure moved smoothly across Sarah's balcony. The timestamp read 2:47 AM. I'd watched it so many times the numbers were burned into my brain.

"Damn it," I muttered, shoving the phone into my pocket. The leather chair in the security office creaked as I stood. Three empty coffee cups were littered the desk, but I couldn't remember drinking any of them.

"Adams!" My angry voice echoed down the hospital corridor. The head of security appeared instantly, looking as exhausted as I felt.

I ordered seriously, "Clear this entire floor. Every room, every closet, every damn air vent. Nobody leaves until we know how she got in."

Adams nodded, already speaking rapid-fire commands into his radio. His team got to work quickly. I watched them work, my tie feeling too tight around my throat.

The doctor practically ran into me, his white coat flapping. "Mr. Carter, we've got a team ready to examine Ms. Quinn." Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the hospital's aggressive air conditioning.

I brushed past him, my heart hammering against my ribs as I pushed open Sarah's door. The sight of her made my chest ache - she looked so small in that massive hospital bed, her designer nightgown wrinkled from restless sleep. The medical team swarmed around her, checking monitors, drawing blood.

"Just blood was taken," the doctor finally said, adjusting his glasses nervously. "It shows..." He trailed off, glancing at me uncertainly.

"Shows what?" My voice came out rough.

"Look at this needle mark," the doctor pointed to Sarah's arm. "Only someone who's done thousands of blood draws could make it this perfect. She had to be a doctor or a very experienced nurse."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I could see Tara's hands in my mind - steady, precise, those elegant surgeon's fingers that could find a vein blindfolded.

"Luke..." Sarah's voice quivered, pulling me back to reality. Her fingers twisted in the sheets that I'd had imported specially for her comfort.

"I need to tell you something." Her eyes filled with tears. "I didn't want to say anything before, but now..." She took a shuddering breath that made the monitors beep faster. "I'm already dying from this horrible poison. Why would someone want to kill me? What kind of monster would do that?"

My throat tightened as I sat on the edge of her bed. Her hand felt fragile in mine, cold despite the room's warmth.

I comforted her gently, "We have found a doctor who can help you. Do you know Red Falcon?"

Her eyes went wide. "But everyone said this poison was incurable..."

"There's always a cure." I squeezed her hand. "I’m willing to pay for everything."

When I was about to continue, my phone rang. So I put down Sarah’s hand and went to the corridor. It was a call from Red Falcon’s side.

I answered it nervously, “Hello?”

My footsteps echoed off the walls as I paced, waiting for them to confirm the appointment that could save Sarah's life.

My phone rang, the sound sharp in the quiet hallway. Peter Quinn's voice came through crisp and professional. "Mr. Carter, about the Red Falcon appointment..."

"What about it?" I was anxious for a reply.

"I regret to inform you that Red Falcon has cancelled."

"Cancelled?" The word tasted like ash in my mouth. "We agreed on ten billion dollars. What more do you want?"

"Mr. Carter, I understand your frustration. However—"

"Understanding doesn't help Sarah!" The words ripped out of me before I could stop them.

"I’m sorry. But we have our own reasons."

The phone exploded against the wall after I'd thrown it. Glass and metal rained down like expensive confetti, scattering across the polished floor. A nurse passing by jumped, then hurried away from me.

"Find Red Falcon," I snarled at Adams. The vein in my temple was throbbing. "I don't care what it takes."

---

"Mr. Carter." James appeared in my office doorway the next morning, looking like he hadn't slept either. "We found Red Falcon in Chicago. They were spotted at the O'Hare International Airport."

I was on my private jet before he finished speaking, my stomach churning.

The O'Hare International Airport was a maze of people. I scanned the crowds like a hunter, looking for Red Falcon. Suddenly, I caught a glimpse of a familiar and graceful way of moving through chaos.

She slipped into the women's restroom like a shadow. I waited between the two exits, ignoring the strange looks from travelers. Thirty minutes pasted.

Then I saw her again. My hand shot out before I could think, gripping a shoulder that felt achingly familiar through expensive silk.

I called out, "Tara—"