For a moment, I couldn’t move. Eleanor stood in the doorway of Chloe’s hospital room, perfectly dressed and completely calm, as if she hadn’t been exposed as the woman who nearly killed my daughter.

“What are you doing here?” I asked. She gave me a wounded smile. “I heard about Chloe. I’m her grandmother.” I stepped closer. “I saw the camera footage. I saw you unlock the cabinet and take the magnets.”

Her smile disappeared for a second. Then she recovered. “Natalie, you’re upset. You’re blaming people because you’re scared.” My hands trembled with anger. “My daughter had thirty-six magnets removed from her body. Don’t tell me I’m imagining things.”

Eleanor glanced at Chloe’s bed. “She was never supposed to get hurt.” My heart stopped. “Then why did she end up in surgery?” She had no answer. When she tried to approach Chloe, I stepped between them. “Don’t touch her.”

Her eyes hardened. “You really think you can keep me away from my granddaughter?” “Yes,” I said. “You’re never going near her again.” A cold smile crossed Eleanor’s face. “That’s where you’re wrong.”

Ten minutes later, Officer Lawson arrived with another officer. He showed Eleanor the footage. Her face changed instantly—not to guilt, but anger. “You had no right to record inside my son’s house!” Lawson stared at her. “That’s your concern? Your granddaughter nearly died.”

Then Ethan appeared in the doorway. His face was pale and broken. He looked directly at his mother. “Why?” Eleanor whispered, “My son…” Ethan shook his head. “No more lies.” He looked at me, then back at her. “You told me Natalie was dangerous. You told me she was destroying our family. You made me believe getting rid of her was the only way to protect Chloe.”

Eleanor remained silent. Officer Lawson stepped forward. “Mrs. Carter, you need to come with us.” As the officers escorted her away, Ethan finally turned toward me. His eyes filled with tears. “Natalie, there’s something else you need to know.” My stomach tightened. “What?” He swallowed hard. “Your daughter wasn’t the only person Eleanor planned to hurt.”