Chapter 5 The Poisoned Truth

The front door creaked open slowly, and Marcus stepped in, weariness clinging to his features. He looked drained, his shoulders slumped from the long journey-but that fatigue quickly shifted to alarm when he saw Stephan, bruised and nursing a visibly swollen lip.

"Stephan?" Marcus's voice was heavy with concern as he hurried forward to help steady the young man. "What happened to you?"

Stephan winced slightly, forcing a weak smile. "Uncle Marcus... you're back early."

Marcus frowned. "I was supposed to return tomorrow, but plans changed. What's going on here?"

Before Stephan could speak, Maureen emerged from the hallway, her arms crossed tightly, face set in a look of smug satisfaction. It was as though she had been waiting for this moment.

Marcus glanced between them. "Somebody tell me what's going on."

Stephan cleared his throat, straightened up slightly, and launched into the story he had been preparing in his head.

"I followed them to Priscilla's event earlier today," he began smoothly. "I had bought a gift for her-something special. But I forgot it at home, so I came back to get it."

He looked toward Maureen for validation. She gave a small nod.

"When I got here," Stephan continued, "I asked Elaine if she'd seen the gift. But she just... glared at me. She looked angry. Jealous, even. She asked what I saw in Priscilla that I didn't see in her-and why both Maureen and I supposedly resented her."

Marcus blinked in confusion. "Jealous? Elaine?"

"I thought she was joking at first," Stephan said, shaking his head. "So I ignored her and turned to check the cupboard for the gift. But then... I heard a strange sound behind me."

He paused, letting the silence draw Marcus's attention. "It was the sound of fabric tearing. I turned around-and there she was, tearing her own clothes. Ripping them to shreds."

Maureen gasped, clutching her chest. "That girl has finally lost her mind."

"I was shocked," Stephan continued, his voice more dramatic now. "I moved toward her to ask what was going on... but then she-she wrapped her arms around me. She leaned into me. Rested her head on my chest. It was so sudden."

Marcus stepped back slightly, visibly disturbed. "You're saying she-?"

"She tried to kiss me," Stephan said, voice low. "Forcefully. I pushed her away, but she bit me. Hard." He turned his head and pointed to the bruised, bloody mark on his lip. "That's how I got this."

Maureen's face contorted with rage. "I knew it! That girl has always been trouble. Always trying to compete with Priscilla. Always making me out to be the bad one whenever I discipline her."

Marcus rubbed his temples. "Elaine has never acted like that before..."

"She's been hiding her true colors," Maureen snapped. "If she's capable of something like this, God knows what else she could do."

"She got angry after I rejected her," Stephan added. "Threw a heavy object at me. I barely dodged it."

Marcus's face clouded with doubt and frustration. He turned as he heard footsteps behind him.

Elaine stood in the doorway, her eyes lighting up when she saw him. "Uncle Marcus! You're home-"

Her smile faltered immediately when she saw the way Stephan and Maureen looked at her.

"What's going on?" she asked, her voice small, unsure.

Marcus looked at her cautiously. "Elaine... what am I hearing? What happened between you and Stephan?"

Elaine's eyes welled with tears. "Uncle... I swear, I didn't do anything. He tried to force himself on me, and when I-"

"Oh, please!" Maureen interrupted with a scoff. "Here come the fake tears again. She does this every time she's caught. Always trying to twist the story and play the victim."

Stephan folded his arms. "She's manipulative, Uncle. You can't let her fool you, who would think someone this innocent looking would force herself on someone old enough to be her elder brother."

"Elaine," Marcus said softly, his voice shaky. "Tell me the truth. Did any of this happen?"

Elaine's voice cracked. "No! None of it! He's lying-I was the one who-he-" Her throat closed with emotion.

"You see?" Maureen cut in. "This is exactly why she cannot stay here anymore. She's a danger to the children. To this family. And frankly, maybe your brother failed in raising her, but I will not let her corrupt the children I've worked so hard to raise."

Marcus turned to her slowly. "Are you saying... we should send her away?"

Maureen's voice was cold. "It's the only way. We gave her shelter. We tried. But she's nothing but a curse in this house."

Elaine's face crumpled in disbelief. "No... please. I didn't do anything wrong."

Marcus stared at her, pain and conflict burning in his eyes. "Elaine... I don't want to believe this, but the bruises, the way things look... maybe it's best if you spent some time away. Just for now."

"You're throwing me away?" Elaine whispered, broken.

Before she could say another word, a harsh slap landed across her face.

Maureen's hand trembled slightly from the force. "You stupid girl! Still acting stubborn? Still pretending you did nothing wrong? You have no shame!" she hissed. "You'll leave this house tomorrow. I don't care what Marcus says. We've done enough. You're nothing but an ungrateful little-"

Elaine's sobs shattered the silence, and Marcus turned away, unable to meet her eyes. A part of him wanted to say something-anything-but the seed of doubt had already been planted.

And in the background, Stephan stood still, silent... victorious.