My Mother-in-law Gave My Daughter Sleeping Pills

The night passed without dreams.

When I woke up, it was already nine in the morning, and the house was eerily quiet.

Feeling a bit dizzy, I gently shook Jessica, who was still nestled in my arms.

"Jessica, wake up. We're going to the hospital."

Once we arrived at the city hospital, I called Ava. Clark.

She was my childhood friend who worked as a head nurse there.

Ava hurried out to meet us shortly after.

"Laura, you finally made it! Dr. Harris' appointment slot is almost over."

After a series of tests that took us all morning, I sat outside the examination room, listening to Ava's chatter.

"Don't worry, Dr. Harris is a top neurologist. He'll definitely figure out what's wrong with Jessica."

"That's good to know."

I mumbled absentmindedly.

"I did some research online. Excessive sleepiness could be caused by things like meningitis, stroke, or even a brain hemorrhage..."

The more I thought about it, the more terrified I became, and I couldn't help but blame myself.

"If only I'd taken her to the doctor when she first started showing signs of sleepiness instead of being so caught up with work. What am I going to do now?"

Just as my anxiety peaked, Joshua Harris stepped out of the hospital room, holding a report in his hand. His eyes were filled with confusion as he studied the document.

I rushed forward, my worry evident.

"Dr. Harris, are the results in? What's wrong with Jessica?"

Joshua frowned, giving me a disapproving look.

"She has traces of benzodiazepines in her system."

His words left me stunned.

"What do you mean by ‘benzo-something'? What is that?"

Ava, looking equally puzzled, turned to me.

"That's a type of sedative! Laura, is Jessica taking sleeping pills?"

"No, absolutely not."

I was completely bewildered as I glanced at Jessica, who was clutching her math workbook.

"Jessica, have you been taking sleeping pills?"

"No," she responded earnestly, shaking her head.

"Then something's wrong," Joshua said, handing the report to me.

"Based on the results and what you've told me, she's been consuming these pills for at least two weeks. Sleeping pills can be harmful, especially for someone her age. Drowsiness is just the beginning. If she keeps taking them, there's a risk of death from respiratory failure during sleep!"

Two weeks?

Two weeks!

The number sent a chill down my spine.

It was exactly two weeks ago that Mia moved into our house.

Thinking back, I realized Jessica's sleepiness started right after Mia's arrival.

I suddenly remembered the glass of milk from last night.

"Jessica, has your grandmother been giving you milk every night?"

Jessica nodded.

"Sometimes I don't want it, but Grandma makes me drink it anyway."

Upon hearing this, a wild suspicion began to take shape in my mind.

I thought, "Could it be that Mia has been spiking my daughter's milk with sleeping pills?

But why would she do that?

Even if she doesn't like me, Jessica is still her biological granddaughter!"

As the full realization hit me, my anger boiled over like a pot of water on the verge of spilling.

I said goodbye to Ava, who was watching me with concern.

After dropping Jessica off at school with a bag of medication, I sat in my car and broke down in tears.

Jessica was so close to being killed.

I told myself I couldn't let this go, and I needed to get justice for Jessica.

I thought it over for a long time. I knew I couldn't confront Mia without evidence. With her flair for drama, she'd never admit to anything.

I needed to catch her in the act.

"I have to stay calm, not give myself away."

I reminded myself sternly.

After mentally preparing myself, I maintained a calm expression as I picked up Jessica from school for dinner.

Though the flames of vengeance burned fiercely within me, I even managed to endure the sneers and jabs from Mia and Sophia at the dinner table.

Finally, nighttime came. I waited until Mia went to the bathroom, then discreetly placed a tiny camera next to the refrigerator.

Afterward, I returned to my room and focused on the live feed on my phone.

At 10:30 PM, I saw Mia enter the kitchen.

She took a carton of milk from the fridge and then pulled a small packet from her pocket. She took out a white pill from the packet and dropped it into a glass, then poured the milk over it.

She put the glass in the microwave to heat it.

My eyes burned with rage as I watched Mia, her arms crossed lazily, leaning against the refrigerator.

There wasn't the slightest trace of guilt on her face for drugging her own granddaughter.

Facing the woman who was trying to kill Jessica, I could no longer contain my fury.

I burst out of my room and stormed into the kitchen.

"What are you doing?"