The fifteen minutes it took for Mark to drive home felt completely eternal.
Sarah sat on the living room sofa with Leo right next to her.
Evelyn stood by the front window, pacing back and forth nervously.
Nobody said a single word as the grandfather clock ticked loudly.
Finally, the tires of Mark's heavy sedan crunched on the gravel driveway.
The front door swung open hard, and Mark walked inside quickly.
He looked pale and exhausted as he tossed his leather briefcase down.
"Alright, everybody calm down and tell me what is happening," Mark demanded.
Sarah stood up and pointed to the untouched teacup on the table.
"The drink is right there, Mark," Sarah said with total clarity.
"And the empty paper packet is resting right on the kitchen counter."
Mark walked over to the dining table and looked inside the cup.
He noticed the strange residue floating on top of the liquid.
He then walked over to the island and picked up the paper snippet.
He brought the paper close to his nose and took a careful sniff.
His facial expression immediately transformed into one of absolute horror.
"Mom, where did you get this packet?" Mark asked in a low voice.
Evelyn crossed her arms over her chest and looked away toward the wall.
"I told you, a friend gave it to me," Evelyn stated stubbornly.
"This smells like heavy sedatives, Mom," Mark said, his voice rising high.
"This is the exact strong medication Dad used after his knee surgery!"
Sarah gasped in shock and pulled Leo closer to her side.
"Why would you give me strong sleeping medication?" Sarah asked in horror.
Evelyn turned around quickly, her eyes suddenly filled with bitter rage.
"Because you are completely unfit to raise these innocent children!" Evelyn yelled.
"You are always tired, you do not cook proper meals, and you neglect Mark!"
Mark stared at his mother as if he was seeing her for the very first time.
"You tried to drug my pregnant wife?" Mark asked in absolute disbelief.
"I wanted her to fall asleep so I could take Leo for the weekend!" Evelyn shouted.
"I wanted to prove to the custody court that she cannot handle them!"
The room went dead silent as her confession hung in the air.
Sarah felt a cold wave of pure anger wash over her entire body.
"You wanted to frame me as an unfit mother?" Sarah asked softly.
"You have been trying to sabotage our family from the very start," Mark realized.
Evelyn realized she had said far too much in her sudden outburst.
She took a step back and lowered her voice to a soft whisper.
"Mark, I did this because I love you and want what is best," Evelyn pleaded.
"Do not touch me," Mark said sternly, stepping away from her hands.