Moments later, as Tim returned from the bathroom, a loud beeping erupted from Lily’s machines. His heart dropped as he saw Lily convulsing on the bed, foam seeping from the corners of her mouth.

“Lily!” he shouted, rushing to her side. “Nurse! Doctor! Somebody help!”

Tim’s hands trembled as he tried to hold her down, tears blurring his vision. “What’s happening to you, Lily? Please, stay with me. Don’t do this.”

Emily’s father, Dr. LaRoux, rushed in with a team of nurses. “It looks like she’s been poisoned,” he said grimly. “Tim, step out of the room while we work on her.”

Tim’s world spun as the nurse gently led him outside. His heart pounded in his chest as he paced the hallway, tears streaming down his face. He had promised Eric that he would protect Lily, and now she was fighting for her life.

His hands shook as he dialed Eric’s number.

“Tim?” Eric answered, his voice laced with concern. “What’s going on?”

“Eric, get to the hospital. Now!” Tim’s voice cracked. “Lily’s been poisoned.”

“What? Poisoned? How… who would do that?”

“I don’t know,” Tim choked out, “but I swear, when I find them, they’ll regret the day they crossed me.”

“I’m on my way,” Eric said, his voice urgent.

Tim hung up, his mind racing with a mix of rage and guilt. He had left her alone, even if just for a moment, and now she was paying the price.

An hour passed before Dr. LaRoux finally emerged from Lily’s room. “She’s stable,” he said, exhaustion etched on his face. “We’ve removed the poison from her system, but we’ll need to wait for her to wake up to assess any damage.”

Tim’s knees nearly buckled in relief. “Thank you, Doctor,” he whispered.

Eric burst into the room, panic clear in his eyes. “How is she?” he asked, grabbing the doctor’s arm.

“She’s stable,” Dr. LaRoux repeated. “We’ll monitor her closely, but I believe she’ll pull through.”

Eric let out a shaky breath. “Thank you. I don’t know how to repay you.”

Dr. LaRoux smiled faintly. “Take care of my daughter, and we’ll call it even.”

As the doctor left, Tim and Eric sat in silence by Lily’s bedside. The quiet hum of the machines was the only sound in the room.

“How did this happen?” Eric asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Tim clenched his fists. “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.”

Eric nodded grimly. “Check the hospital’s cameras. Maybe we can find something.”

Tim stood up, determination flaring in his chest. “I’ll do that. But Eric… someone needs to stay with Lily at all times now.”

Eric agreed. “I’ll ask her friends to help.”

Tim looked grim as he quickly responded, “Just Becca, not Ryan.”

Intrigued by Tim’s sudden aggressiveness, Eric asked, “Ok, Becca and Emily can keep watch, but why not Ryan?”

Tim hesitated, then sighed. “Because… Lily and I are dating now. I don’t trust him around her.”

Eric’s eyes widened in shock. “You’re dating my sister?”

Tim nodded. “I swear, I’ll take care of her. I love her, Eric.”

“You better,” Eric said, his voice serious. “Because if you hurt her, I’ll hurt you.”

Tim smiled sadly. “I won’t. I promise.”

Hours later, after watching the hospital’s surveillance footage, Tim’s blood ran cold. There, on the screen, was a figure in a nurse’s uniform, injecting something into Lily’s IV. As the figure turned to leave, Tim’s heart sank as he caught a side glimpse of the woman.

It was Stacey Cruz.

His mind reeled. “Stacey… what have you done?”