The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 42
Two days later. 2:00 AM, at Haven Sanatorium.
The lights in the hallway were dimmed to their lowest setting, with only the faint glow from the nurses’ station casting blurry shadows.
1
Wearing a mask and a nurse’s uniform, Tamara pushed a medical cart with practiced ease toward the VIP ward area. Yvonne was in the intensive care suite at the very end. As long as she injected Yvonne with a neurotoxin, Yvonne would suffer permanent brain damage. The truth about who pushed her down the stairs would never be known by the Sherwoods. Then, Tamara could marry into the Sherwood family without obstruction.
Tamara’s fingers trembled slightly, and her heart raced, but she quickly calmed herself. No one would find out. Once Yvonne was brain-damaged, Leilani, being the doctor who treated her recently, would definitely be the prime suspect. Leilani’s reputation would be ruined, and no one would suspect her.
Tamara gently pushed open the door. By the dim light of the monitoring equipment, she looked at the girl sleeping on the bed. She looked pale, her breathing steady and defenseless.
Tamara took the prepared syringe from her pocket. Just as she was about to act-
“Beep! Beep!”
A piercing alarm suddenly screamed through the room!
Tamara froze. Before she could react, the room lights blazed on, and rushing footsteps echoed from the hallway!
What is happening? Where did this damn room get an alarm system?
The door was shoved open. The on-duty doctor and two security guards rushed in.
“Who are you?” the doctor demanded sternly.
Tamara quickly adjusted her expression. She pulled down her mask, revealing a panicked, innocent look. “I… I’m the nurse here for rounds.”
The doctor frowned, “Rounds? Night rounds for VIP are at 3 AM. And the station didn’t schedule a check for this time!”
Tamara’s eyes instantly turned red. “I’m sorry, I’m new. I might have remembered the time wrong.”
Just then, rapid footsteps approached from the end of the hall.
Milford strode in, his face dark. “What’s going on?”
18-14
Why was Milford at the sanatorium so late? Tamara panicked, but reason told her she had to keep it together. She dug her nails into her palms. Like a drowning woman grabbing a lifeline, she threw herself into Milford’s arms, her voice choked with sobs. “Milford! I just wanted to see Yvonne. I didn’t expect to trigger an alarm…”
Milford glanced at the medical cart, then at his sister, who was safe and sound on the bed. He looked confused. “It’s so late. Why are you here?”
Tears streamed down Tamara’s face. “I heard Yvonne was getting better recently, and I wanted to see her. I was afraid of disturbing her rest, so I borrowed a uniform. I didn’t think this would happen. And ever since Yvonne woke up briefly, she’s been so resistant to me. I was afraid seeing me would upset her, so I didn’t think it through. I really set off the alarm by accident.”
Milford was silent for a moment. He wanted to scold her, but he thought Tamara meant well. It must be Yvonne’s rejection that made Tamara so cautious.
Milford softened his tone. “Don’t do this next time. If you want to see Yvonne, tell me in advance. It’s a good thing I was here, otherwise, it would be bad if the doctors and security misunderstood.”
The doctor hesitated. “Mr. Sherwood, this alarm system was installed by Ms. Sloan. She said it was to prevent unauthorized contact with the patient.”
Ms. Sloan? Leilani? A trace of malice flashed in Tamara’s eyes, but she quickly reverted to her pitiful act. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have come in without permission.”
18:14
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