Sofia's fingers twitched, as her throat tightened. The burn started slow, then spread like wildfire through her chest and stomach. She let the reaction build up, and welcomed the pain.
Her breathing grew shallow, and her knuckles turned white as she gripped the edge of the table.
Across the table, Brooke was the first to notice.
"Sweetheart?" She leaned forward, concern etched across her face. "Are you alright?"
Sofia coughed once. Then again.
She looked straight at Judith, her voice coming out hoarse, barely audible. "Did… did you use peaches in the gravy, mom?"
Judith froze mid-sip. Eyes widened a bit, but she quickly schooled her features into a look of horror.
"Peaches?" she echoed. "Of course not, darling. I would never…"
Sofia's lips trembled as she coughed louder. "But I… I tasted it. In my plate. Only mine. If I've offended you somehow… I'm sorry."
The room fell silent. All eyes turned to Judith.
Zach's brows furrowed, and Brooke's hand hovered near Sofia's shoulder. They exchanged horrified glances.
"Oh please" Ashley snapped. "Stop acting like a victim. Just because Dad left your sorry excuse of a mother for ours doesn't mean you get to accuse her of poisoning-"
BANG!
John slammed his hand on the table, his face flushed with rage. "Enough! Ashley, shut your mouth!" His voice thundered across the room. "Get out!"
Ashley's smirk vanished. She stared at him, stunned "But…"
"Out!" he roared.
Ashley stormed off, heels clicking furiously.
Meanwhile, Sofia doubled over, coughing violently. She convulsed, and blood splattered her napkin.
Everyone shot to their feet.
Brooke was beside Sofia in seconds, arms around her.
"Oh my God!" She gasped. "She's bleeding! Call an ambulance!"
Judith stood frozen, lips parted, eyes darting between faces. John looked humiliated.
Sofia's vision dimmed. But even through the haze, she saw Brooke's trembling hands, her tear-filled eyes and she heard the insanity in her voice.
She smiled faintly, blood staining her teeth.
She had gotten Brooke exactly where she wanted her. The plan was already 80% successful.
This was been the turning point of her plan. Her bet was on Brooke. In Raw Politics in New York, Zach had mentioned how he and Brooke lost their first child to a food allergy. It had destroyed and broken her. She had never fully healed. In 2015, Raw Politics in New York hadn't yet been published, so only Zach, Brooke, and Sofia knew.
Sofia felt a pang of guilt. But she couldn't pass up the opportunity.
Mami burst into the room, eyes wide with horror. "Sofia!"
She rushed forward, cradling Sofia's head, joining Brooke in trying to help her breathe.
Sofia's body jerked. Her lips turned blue.
The ambulance arrived within minutes, and Paramedics lifted her onto a stretcher.
Brooke refused to let go of her hand, until Zach dragged her off. Mami climbed in beside her, holding back tears.
John and Judith followed in their car, while Zach and Brooke trailed behind.
Inside the ambulance, Sofia heard Mami's voice, soft, desperate. "God, please. Don't take her. Please lord!"
The nurse turned away to prep a syringe. So Sofia used that opportunity to grab unto Mami's hand and pressed it against her chest.
Mami frowned, confused. Her fingers searched. Then she felt it… a folded piece of paper tucked inside Sofia's bra.
She pulled it out, unfolded it, and read.
I did this on purpose for my plan. I couldn't tell you because you'd stop me. I'm sorry. Pls burn this note after reading.
Mami's eyes widened with each word. She tore the note into three pieces and tucked them into her bra.
Then she looked at Sofia, angry and heartbroken. But then her expression softened in understanding, as she gently stroked Sofia's arm.
At the hospital, Sofia was rushed into the emergency ward. Nurses swarmed her, hooking her up to IV drips and checking her vitals.
Outside, John and Judith paced stiffly, while Brooke clutched Zach's arm, crying inconsolable.
She was a mess. "Please save her" she pleaded. "She's just a child!"
Finally, a doctor stepped out. "She's stable for now, but her allergic reaction was severe. So we'll need to administer epinephrine stimulation to counteract the effects."
Everyone nodded in relief.
The procedure began. Epinephrine flooded Sofia's system, opening her airways, and calming the inflammation.
Few hours passed, and her breathing steadied. Her eyes fluttered open.
She was still alive.
Later, she was moved to a private ward. The others left, as it was nearly midnight. Mami insisted on staying.
When the doctor returned, Sofia sat up slowly.
"You almost died." he said, frowning. "Didn't you know you're allergic to both peach and beetroot?"
Sofia blinked. "Both?"
"Yes. It's rare. But your body shows markers for both."
She exhaled, rubbing her temples as she processed the news.
So she had Elise's allergies… and hers? Damn. No wonder the pain felt worse than hell.
"I want a full body scan." she said. "Everything you've got. Blood, scans, organ function. Everything testable"
The doctor adjusted his glasses. "That's… gonna be expensive. Are you sure-"
"Money isn't a problem" Sofia interrupted smoothly. "Add it to my dad's tab. And I want the results sent directly to a P.O box address"
•••••
The next morning, Sofia woke up early to carry out every test. And by afternoon, she was done.
Back in her ward, Mami was peeling kiwis with a butter knife, when her puffy eyes narrowed at Sofia.
Sofia just smiled nervously. "I'm really fine, Mami."
"You ever pull something like that again…" she warned "I'll die of a heart attack."
Sofia chuckled. "Don't say that. I'm sorry"
Mami peeled harder "And next time you plan something, you tell me. I'll help and protect you."
Sofia quickly took the knife and fruits from her hand, and started peeling them herself. "Noted."
Mami kissed her forehead, then stepped out to sign off on some medication.
Seconds later, Matt slipped in, shutting the door behind him. His face was twisted in anger.
"You ruined everything!" he growled. "I was supposed to impress them. But you sabotaged me."
Sofia leaned back against her pillow, smirking. "I'm glad their daughter's safe from marrying a creep."
Matt's jaw tightened, as he stepped closer. "Maybe you're just jealous, baby. Maybe you wanted my attention."
His fingers trailed across her exposed shoulder, seductively. "But don't worry. I'll always be available to show you a good time" he whispered.
Sofia laughed—sharp, unhinged, and glanced at his hand.
Then she slapped him so hard his head jerked to the other side. The sound echoed, and his cheek reddened instantly, making the perfect imprint of her fingers.
Matt stared, stunned. "You hit me?"
Matt stumbled back, shocked. No one had ever dared strike him.
His face twisted into rage. He lunged forward, grabbing Sofia by the throat. "You'll pay for that!" he growled.
But Sofia was faster. She snatched the butter knife from the tray and pressed it against his neck, right where his carotid vein pulsed.
Her voice was icy. "I wonder who'll pay first. Me or you, dear brother?"
Matt froze. His pulse raced. "You're insane!"
Mami burst into the room, clutching her chest. "Sofia, no!"
Matt immediately raised his hands up as a sign of surrender.
Sofia smirked and nicked his neck. Just enough to draw blood. "That's for putting your filthy hands on me, you piece of dog-shit"
Matt gasped, clutching his neck in shock as Mami dragged him out of the room.
When she returned, Sofia was calmly peeling kiwi, as if nothing had just happened.
Mami stared at her in shock.
Sofia glanced up. "Relax. I sanitized the knife."
Mami's voice was quiet. "You're not Sofia…"