Chapter 6 - THE SIGNATURE BESIDE HIS BED
Oliver woke one morning and found Samantha holding a document beside the bed.
“You need to sign this.”
His head felt heavy.
“What is it?”
“A temporary medical power of attorney.”
“I already have one.”
“It names your mother as alternate decision-maker.”
“She’s my mother.”
“She hasn’t spoken to you in two years.”
Oliver pushed himself upright.
The room moved around him.
Samantha placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Dr. Kent says stress could trigger a dangerous episode.”
“Then I should go to a hospital.”
“Kent says the hospital will only frighten you.”
Oliver looked at the document again.
It gave Samantha authority over his medical care, company decisions, insurance policies, and funeral arrangements if he became incapacitated.
“Why does a medical document mention cremation?”
“It’s standard language.”
“No, it isn’t.”
Samantha’s expression hardened.
“Your mother still controls thirty-five percent of the company. If you become too sick to work, she can walk back in and destroy everything we built.”
“My father built the company with her.”
“And he made sure she could take it from you.”
Oliver moved the document away.
“I’m not signing.”
Samantha stood.
“You’re confused.”
“I’m tired.”
“Exactly.”
She left the room.
Oliver waited until he heard the front door close.
Then he searched the drawer where she kept his medication.
Several labels had been removed.
One bottle contained pills that did not match the prescription record Dr. Kent had emailed him.
Oliver photographed everything.
He sent the images to Elena Price, the family attorney.
Her reply came quickly.
DO NOT TAKE ANY MORE MEDICATION UNTIL AN INDEPENDENT DOCTOR REVIEWS IT.
COME TO MY OFFICE TOMORROW.
Oliver planned to go.
That evening, Samantha brought him tea.
He watched her place his medication beside the cup.
“I already took it,” he lied.
Her eyes narrowed.
“When?”
“An hour ago.”
She picked up the bottle and counted the pills.
Oliver saw the exact moment she realized he was watching her.
Neither spoke.
Then Samantha smiled.
“You’ve been forgetful lately.”
Oliver waited until she left and called Marcus.
This time, Marcus took the brass key.
“If I don’t meet Elena tomorrow,” Oliver said, “open the locker.”
“You’re scaring me.”
“I’m scaring myself.”
Before ending the call, Oliver added one more instruction.
May you like
“If Samantha tells you I died, do not believe her until you see me.”
👉 Oliver finally suspected his medicine, but Samantha already knew he had stopped swallowing the pills she controlled.
