Chapter 3 - The Frame Job
My hands shook violently as I read my own name on the powerful sedative bottle.
Margaret wasn't just abusing Lily; she was drugging her.
And worse, she was using a prescription written in my name to do it.
I realized in a horrifying flash what her entire master plan was.
She was setting me up to look like an unfit, abusive mother who suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy.
If Lily ever ended up in the hospital with sedatives in her system, the police would blame me.
I shoved the bottle deep into my pocket and rushed back to Lily's room.
"Grab your backpack, sweetie," I told her, my voice frantic but hushed.
"Where are we going?" she asked, grabbing her small pink bag.
"We're going to get some ice cream, and then we're staying at a hotel," I lied to keep her calm.
I grabbed my car keys and practically carried her down the stairs.
Daniel and Margaret were sitting in the living room, drinking coffee like a happy family.
"Where do you think you're going?" Daniel demanded, standing up.
"Lily and I need some fresh air," I said, pushing past him toward the front door.
"I don't think that's a good idea, Sarah," Margaret said, stepping into my path.
I shoved my mother-in-law hard in the chest, knocking her back onto the sofa.
I dragged Lily outside and sprinted down the driveway to where my car was parked.
I threw Lily into her car seat and jumped into the driver's side.
I jammed the key into the ignition and turned it fiercely.
The engine just clicked, making a hollow, dead sound.
I tried again, but the car was completely unresponsive.
I looked up through the windshield and saw Daniel standing on the front porch.
He was holding a spark plug wire in his hand, a smug grin on his face.
Suddenly, a white SUV with blue government plates pulled into my driveway, blocking me in.
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Two stern-looking women wearing badges stepped out of the vehicle.
The side of their car read Child Protective Services.
