My Son And His Wife Went On A Cruise, Leaving Me To Babysit My 8-Year-Old Grandson Who Had Never Spoken Around Us. As Soon As The Door Clicked Shut, He Stopped Rocking, Looked Straight In The Eye, And Whispered In A Clear Voice: “Grandma, Don’t Drink The Tea Mom Made For You… Not Yet.” A Chill Ran Through Me…

Damen nodded solemnly, moving to stand beside my chair.

“I’m sorry, Grandma. I wanted to tell you before, but I was scared. Mom said if I ever talked to anyone except when she said it was okay, something really bad would happen to you.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, though part of me was already beginning to understand.

The pieces were falling into place in a way that made my stomach turn with dread. “She makes me pretend,” he said quietly, his voice trembling. “When other people are around, especially doctors, I have to act like I can’t understand things.

But I hear everything, Grandma. I see everything.”

I reached out with shaking hands and pulled him close, feeling the warm weight of his small body against mine. Eight years of silence, of thinking my grandson lived in a world I couldn’t reach.

Eight years of watching Nyla play the role of devoted mother caring for a special needs child. Eight years of believing the medical reports, the therapy sessions, the endless consultations with specialists. “What did she put in my tea?” I managed to ask, though I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear the answer.

Damian pulled back to look at me, his face serious beyond his years. “Medicine. The kind that makes you sleepy and confused.”

He swallowed.

“She’s been doing it for a long time, Grandma. That’s why you’ve been feeling so tired and forgetful lately.”

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