Chapter 13

Beth POV

A week passed, and things settled down. Beth was pleased she did not have to see Una because the woman stayed in her room for the most part. Her back had fully healed, but she’d never forget the pain.

Beth had gotten into a routine of sorts and had started taking Angus out for walks in the garden. She hadn’t known that Jungkook had an elevator put in after his dad’s stroke but was thrilled because they didn’t have to ask for help which would have embarrassed the older man.

It was wonderful when Freya or Jungkook would join them in their walks, and she’d grown close to the woman.

She was about to leave her room for the day when a sharp pain hit in her midsection, almost doubling her over. It didn’t last very long, so she waited a moment, and then she went down to breakfast. The rest of the day seemed normal except for a sharp pain that would hit her periodically. She was able to hide it for the most part, but it made her exhausted.

That night, instead of a movie they usually watched before bed, she told him she wanted to go to bed. He made slow sweet love to her, and she was asleep before he pulled out of her.

The following few days, the pain got a little worse, and it was getting hard to pull herself out of bed and act normal. Jungkook kept asking what was wrong, but she didn’t know, so she assumed it was a virus of some sort.

That morning, she woke to see Jungkook sitting beside her on the bed with a worried look on his face. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I got worried when you didn’t come down for breakfast. I don’t like this, baby. Something’s wrong.”

“It’s probably just a virus.”

“I don’t care. I called in our family physician.”

“Oh, God, you didn’t have to do that.”

“Yes, I did. I should have done it a few days ago. Let’s get you into one of my shirts before he comes.”

Beth couldn’t believe what a struggle just doing that was.

She hadn’t realized she’d gone back to sleep until Jungkook was nudging her awake again.

“Sweetheart, this is Dr. Benjamin Peters. He’s known the family for a long time.”

“I’m so sorry he bothered you. I told him it was just a virus.”

“Well, since I’m here already, I might as well check you out.”

The doctor took her vitals. “Any vomiting or diarrhea?”

“Just a little diarrhea and some nausea.”

“Tell me how it started.”

“About four days ago, I started getting pains in my stomach.”

“Describe the pain.”

“It’s sharp, but it goes away after a second or two.”

“Did the pains get more frequent?”

“Yes, it seemed to get a little worse and more of them every day.”

“Jungkook says you’re tired all the time.”

“He’s a worrywart.”

Dr. Peters chuckled. “Tell me about the fatigue?”

“It seems to get a little worse every day, too, but I think it’s the pain that’s making me tired because it’s waking me up in the nighttime.”

“It could be.” The doctor nodded.

“I’m going to press on your stomach. Is that okay?”

He pulled the blanket down and unbuttoned a few so he could see her stomach.

She sucked in a startled breath and cried out when he seemed to hit a few extremely sore areas.

“There?” the doctor asked.

“Yes. It’s very tender.”

The doctor stood back and got a few things out of his bag. Beth didn’t like the concern on his face.

“It’s just a virus, right?” she asked.

“It could be, but I’m going to take some blood and test it to see if it is and what kind it is. That way, I’ll be able to determine how to help you.”

She felt Jungkook ’s hand on hers as the doctor took the blood. It seemed to bother him more than it did her.

“All right, I’ll get back to you on the results later today. In the meantime, young lady, get some rest.”

“I will. Thank you, Doctor.”

He patted her shoulder. “You’re welcome.”

He looked at Jungkook. “Why don’t you show me the way out?”

“Sure.” Jungkook pressed a kiss to Beth’s forehead. “I’ll be right back.”

She nodded and fell asleep.

****

Jungkook POV

Alastair took one more look at her before he closed the door and faced the doctor.

“Is there somewhere we can talk in private, Jungkook?”

The look on the doctor’s face terrified him. “Yes, let’s go to my office.”

He closed the door behind them and sat behind his desk. He knew his voice shook with fear he didn’t try to hide. “Tell me.”

“I can’t be certain until I get the blood tests back.”

“What do you suspect?”

“I think she’s being poisoned.”

It took a minute for it to sink in. “You’re saying that someone is poisoning my Beth on purpose?”

The doctor nodded. “I doubt it’s environmental or something in the house she’s allergic to since she’s lived here a while.”

“How?”

“Through her food possibly.”

“She’s in the dining room with us in the morning, and we eat the same thing every night, and she eats with Dad for lunch. They have no idea who’s getting what plate.”

“It would also be next to impossible to do that and not get caught,” Peters said.

“What else?”

“It could be anything from lotion, toothpaste, or shampoo to something put on her pillow.”

“The only thing we don’t share is her shampoo, conditioner, and lotions.”

“It would be easy to hide the poison in them, and they get absorbed through the skin.”

“Fuck, I’m going to kill her.”

“Who?”

“Una,”  said. “She hates Beth with a passion.”

Peters lifted his hand. “Wait for the results before you go off half-cocked. I’ll ask for it back quickly. In the meantime, don’t let her eat, drink or use any of her products until I call.”

“Okay. Thank you, Benjamin.”

They shook hands.

Jungkook sat back down and tried to comprehend what was happening. He couldn’t take in the fact that someone would be able to hurt that beautiful, sweet woman. It was inconceivable.

“Hey, I thought I saw Benjamin,” Graham said.

“Yes, come in and close the door.”

Graham sat. “Is it Dad?”

“No, it’s Beth. He thinks someone is poisoning her.”

Jungkook watched the different emotions cross his brother’s face and knew he had the same expression.

“What the fuck. How?”

“We don’t know yet.”

“Who?”

“The only person I can think of is Una.”

“Fuck, yes. I’d suspect her, too. What are we going to do?”

“Benjamin took her blood and will get back to me with the results today. If it is, I’m going to have every product she uses tested for it.”

“I can take them in.”

“Good. Thank you.”

“What are you going to tell Beth?”
Alastair shook his head. “I don’t know yet. I want this kept between the three of us for now. You, me, and Benjamin. Just tell everyone it’s a virus and that she has to rest, and she’ll feel better soon.”

“Can’t you bring Tony in? Security has tapes from three months ago that he could be going through to see if he sees anything suspicious.”

“That’s a great idea. Can you take care of that?”

“Sure. I’ll tell him to keep to himself for now.”

“Good. I trust him.”

Graham nodded. “I do, too.”

“I’m going to stay upstairs with her.”

“Call me if you need anything.”

Jungkook nodded, stood, and walked out of the room. His only thought was protecting his Beth.