She Cut Me Open—Then Framed Me / Chapter 3: Poison in the Tea
She Cut Me Open—Then Framed Me

She Cut Me Open—Then Framed Me

Author: Mary Schmidt

Chapter 3: Poison in the Tea

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Back on the train, in my new-old body, I held the tea in my mouth for a long moment—then spit it out into a napkin, watching the stain spread, the bitter smell curling up from the paper.

He leaned in, concern painted across his face. “Lila, please, just drink the tea. You’ll feel better. You need to stay hydrated.”

My mind flashed back to his betrayal, the way he’d sided with Madison, and I knew—I couldn’t trust him. Not now, not ever.

I jerked my hand, knocking the cup aside. Water splashed across the table and onto Travis’s lap. He stared at me, shocked and annoyed.

His face darkened, and he shot to his feet, waving down the conductor. “Excuse me! My wife needs help!”

Before he could say another word, I snatched a drumstick from my lunch tray and shoved it into his mouth. “Eat, Travis. Just eat.” The look on his face was priceless—confused, a little angry, but silenced.

The conductor approached, her voice gentle but wary. “Ma’am, are you feeling alright? Can I get you anything?”

I mustered a weak smile, patting my stomach. “Honestly, I just ate too much. Those boxed lunches are amazing—could I buy a couple more?”

She grinned, pulling out her notepad. “Sure thing! Another chicken, or do you want to try the beef?”

She winked, lowering her voice. “Careful, though—eating too much might give you heartburn. I can pack them up for you if you want.”

Her eyes flicked to my stomach, a knowing look passing between us. “You’re eating for two, huh?”

I laughed, rubbing my belly. “Yeah, I definitely overdid it. Guess I’ll need a nap after this.”

Travis spat out the drumstick, voice rising in panic. “No, you don’t understand—my wife’s pregnant! She’s about to give birth! Please, make an announcement—get a doctor!”

She hesitated, looking me up and down. “Ma’am, are you actually in labor? Do you need medical help?”

I shook my head, forcing a smile. “No, no, I’m just full. A little heartburn, that’s all. I’ll be fine after a Tums.”

He stared at me, eyes wide. “Lila, you’ve had like a dozen checkups. Why are you saying this now?”

He squeezed my hand, repeating his old line. “No matter what, you come first. The baby… we can always try again.”

His gaze was intense, searching my face for something. “You know I mean it, right? You’re what matters.”

His words, meant to comfort, only made my skin crawl. A cold dread seeped into my bones.

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