Chapter 68 The Particular Medication for Her
Caroline stood frozen behind the door for a long moment, her breath coming unevenly. She drew in a deep breath, then slowly reached out and turned the handle.
She pulled the door open just a crack, peering cautiously through the narrow gap.
The hallway stretched empty in both directions. Not even a maid in sight. Whatever they were doing, they were doing it elsewhere.
Caroline was about to retreat back into the room when voices drifted up from downstairs—low and muffled, but unmistakable.
Alexander's voice.
"The medication needs to be delivered immediately. Make sure she takes it. Watch her swallow it. Use the specific kind I designated. No mistakes."
"Yes, sir. It's already being prepared. We'll send it up right away." That was Liam.
"Good." Alexander paused, then added, "That particular medication—make absolutely certain it's safe. I don't want her getting pregnant."
Caroline's knuckles went white around the door handle. She jerked her hand back as if burned and stumbled backward two steps.
She clutched at her chest, feeling her heart hammer frantically.
Birth control. That must be what he meant.
She shouldn't be surprised.
Every time they'd had sex, he'd sent someone with pills. Made her take them under watch.
Years of medication and abuse had ravaged her body. Her periods were erratic. She was always cold, always exhausted.
She sometimes wondered if this broken body could even carry a child anymore.
But… particular medication?
What did he mean by emphasizing "particular"?
Something more damaging than usual?
Or… not birth control at all?
Maybe yesterday—when she'd been out of her mind on drugs, clinging to him desperately, responding to him so wantonly—maybe that had offended him once he'd sobered up. Made him feel contaminated by her.
So now he'd keep his promise to Celeste. Get rid of her permanently.
What if that "particular medication" was poison?
Caroline leaned against the door, her body trembling.
She paced a few aimless steps into the room, then stopped, powerless.
What was the point of panicking?
If Alexander truly wanted her dead, where could she possibly run?
This massive estate, all of Grandhaven, the entire country—how many places existed beyond his reach?
Besides… hadn't she spent years thinking death would be a mercy? Hadn't she wished for it more times than she could count?
So why, now that it might actually be coming, was she afraid?
Caroline's lips twisted into a bitter smile.
She mocked herself in silence. 'Pathetic, Caroline. Can't even hold onto the courage to die? Is it because Alexander hasn't tortured you lately? Has that given you hope you have no right to feel?'
Chaotic thoughts crashed through her mind, finally dissolving into blankness.
Struggling was useless. Fear was useless.
She lowered her head, surrendering.
"Forget it," she whispered to herself. "I'm just a sinner anyway. Why bother thinking so much?"
Caroline turned and walked into the master bathroom, pushing through the soreness radiating through her body as she cleaned herself.
After drying off, she hesitated, then reached for one of Alexander's towels—a large, soft, dark-colored one—and wrapped it around herself.
She was chilled to the bone. Even if Alexander scolded her for it, she needed the warmth right now.
The moment she stepped out of the bathroom, a soft knock sounded at the door.
Caroline crossed to it and pulled it open. A maid stood in the hallway, holding a set of clean clothes in one hand and a dark wooden tray in the other. On the tray sat a glass of warm water and two small pills.
Caroline's gaze locked onto those two tiny white tablets. Her heart seized.
She said nothing, just stepped aside silently to let the maid enter.
The maid moved quietly, setting the clothes on the edge of the bed before placing the tray on the nightstand. She kept her eyes lowered respectfully.
"Mrs. Hamilton, Mr. Hamilton has instructed you to take your medication."
Caroline didn't resist. She simply stared at the pills for a long moment, then picked them up and placed them on her tongue.
She closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and swallowed them down with water in one smooth motion.
She wasn't sure what they were. They tasted more bitter than the usual pills.
But Caroline's expression didn't change. She didn't even frown.
The maid watched her finish, then gave a small nod. "Mrs. Hamilton, please rest."
She slipped out of the room soundlessly, closing the door behind her.
Caroline was alone again.
She set down the glass and walked to the bed, slowly changing into the clothes the maid had brought.
Then she straightened Alexander's bedding until no trace of disturbance remained, cleaned the bathroom, and methodically erased every sign that she'd been there.
Only after finishing did she quietly leave the master bedroom and return to her own small room.
Lying in bed, Caroline closed her eyes, exhausted. Her body ached for rest, but her mind remained stubbornly alert.
Those two pills had weighed almost nothing in her palm. But now they felt heavy in her stomach, pressing down on her heart.
How would he do it?
What made those pills so "particular"?
Meanwhile, inside the car heading to the office, silence reigned.
Alexander sat in the back seat with his eyes closed, a faint weariness visible in the lines of his face. Last night had clearly taken its toll on him as well.
Liam sat in the passenger seat, watching his employer's reflection carefully in the rearview mirror. He didn't speak.
Not until his phone chimed with a notification. He glanced down at the message, then reported quietly, "Sir, the medication has been delivered to Mrs. Hamilton. It's from a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology—specifically formulated to prevent pregnancy without causing harm to her system."
Alexander made a noncommittal sound, his eyes still closed.
Liam continued. "Also, the medical team sent over a summary of Mrs. Hamilton's recent health evaluations this morning."
He passed a tablet back to the rear seat.
"Mrs. Hamilton's overall health remains poor. Her digestive system is compromised, and especially… gynecologically speaking, she needs comprehensive treatment. I've already contacted a specialist who focuses on women's reproductive health. He'll be at the manor this afternoon to develop a treatment plan for Mrs. Hamilton."
Alexander finally opened his eyes and took the tablet. His gaze swept over the report, and when he reached Caroline's test results, his brow furrowed slightly.
Then his expression smoothed. He handed the tablet back.
"Let him handle it. Whatever he needs, have the butler arrange it. Don't bother reporting the rest to me."
"Yes, sir." Liam accepted the tablet and tucked it away.
Brief silence filled the car.
Liam hesitated, glancing once more at Alexander's impassive profile in the mirror.
Finally, he couldn't help himself. "Sir, if I may ask… why the sudden concern about Mrs. Hamilton's health?"