The Billionaire's Insignificant Wife novel Chapter 120

+30 Bonus

Trap Springs

By noon, Alina had stopped vomiting.

The anti-nausea medication Dr. Blake prescribed had helped. But she still felt weak. Shaky. Her stomach tender and empty.

Daniel insisted she stay in bed.

“Rest. I’ll work from home today. Call if you need anything.”

“I’m fine,” Alina said. “It’s just food poisoning. I don’t need a babysitter.”

“Humor me.”

He left the door ajar when he went to his study.

Alina lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

Something felt wrong about this morning.

The sudden onset. The violence of it. The way it had stopped just as abruptly after medication.

Food poisoning didn’t usually work that way.

And she’d eaten the same breakfast foods for weeks. Nothing different. Nothing unusual.

Except the coffee had been brought to her room instead of served at the family table.

Alina’s eyes narrowed.

Had someone tampered with her food?

But why?

What did Margaret gain from making her sick?

Unless-

The bathroom door opened.

A maid entered with fresh towels.

Not Mrs. Helen. Someone younger. Nervous.

“Mrs. Blackwood? Can I get you anything? Tea? Water?”

“Water would be good. Thank you.”

The maid left quickly.

Too quickly.

Alina sat up slowly. Tested her legs. Steady enough.

She moved to the window.

Below, a car pulled up to the side entrance. Not the main driveway.

A man got out. Fifties. Professional clothes. Carrying a mèdical bag.

1/6

But not Dr. Blake.

Someone else.

Alina watched as Margaret appeared at the side door. Greeted the man. Gestured him inside.

A private entrance. A doctor Margaret had called personally.

Alina’s stomach tightened.

This wasn’t about food poisoning.

This was something else.

***

+30 Bonus

Downstairs, Margaret led Dr. Lawrence Mitchell to her private sitting room.

“Thank you for coming on such short notice, Doctor.”

“Of course, Mrs. Blackwood. You mentioned an urgent evaluation?”

“Yes. My daughter-in-law, Alina. She’s been exhibiting concerning behavior recently. And this morning she became violently ill. Vomiting. Pale. Unstable.”

Dr. Mitchell made notes. “What kind of behavior concerns you?”

Margaret pulled out the journal. Set it on the desk between them.

“This is her private journal. I came across it by accident. Look at the contents.”

Dr. Mitchell opened it.

Page after page of the same sentence.

*I will get out of this hell.*

Hundreds of times. Increasingly desperate handwriting.

“How long has she been writing like this?” he asked.

“I don’t know. Weeks, at least. Possibly longer.”

“And the illness this morning?”

“Sudden onset. Violent. Our family doctor said food poisoning, but-“Margaret paused, expression troubled. ” I’m worried it might be self-induced.”

Dr. Mitchell looked up sharply. “You think she made herself sick intentionally?”

“I think she’s deeply unhappy. Possibly unstable. The obsessive writing. The isolation. The refusal to engage with family. And now this.” Margaret’s voice dropped. “I’m afraid she might hurt herself, Doctor. Or worse.”

The implication hung heavy.

Dr. Mitchell studied the journal again.

“Has she made any suicide attempts? Any explicit threats of self-harm?”

“Not explicitly. But she’s been withdrawn. Depressed. Asking repeatedly to leave. My son refuses to consider

2/6

+30 Bonus

divorce because he’s worried about what she might do if he lets her go.”

The lie was smooth. Believable.

“I see.” Dr. Mitchell closed the journal. “I’d like to speak with her. Conduct a preliminary evaluation. With your permission.”

“Of course. That’s why I called you. But Doctor-” Margaret leaned forward. “Please be discreet. My son is protective of her. He might resist if he thinks we’re questioning her mental stability.”

“I understand. I’ll frame it as a follow-up to this morning’s illness. Routine evaluation.”

“Perfect. She’s resting in her room now. I’ll have someone bring her down.”

“Actually, I’d prefer to speak with her in her own environment. People are often more comfortable in familiar surroundings.”

Margaret hesitated.

The cameras in Alina’s room would record everything. Good for documentation.

But also evidence of surveillance if discovered.

“Of course,” she said smoothly. “I’ll take you up myself.”

***

Alina heard footsteps in the corridor.

Multiple sets.

She moved away from the window. Sat on the edge of the bed.

Composed her expression into neutral calm.

The door opened.

Margaret entered. A man behind her.

“Alina, this is Dr. Mitchell. He’s here to check on you. Make sure this morning’s illness didn’t indicate anything more serious.”

The man smiled professionally. “Mrs. Blackwood. How are you feeling?”

“Better. The medication helped.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear it. Do you mind if I ask a few questions? Just routine follow-up.”

Alina’s instincts screamed danger.

This wasn’t routine.

Margaret wouldn’t have called another doctor unless she had an agenda.

“What kind of questions?”

“Just about your general health. Stress levels. Sleep patterns. Nothing invasive.” Dr. Mitchell pulled out a tablet.” May I sit?”

3/6

+30 Bonus

He gestured to the chair by the desk.

Alina nodded.

Margaret remained by the door. Watching.

“Now then,” Dr. Mitchell began. “How long have you been experiencing nausea?”

“Just this morning.”

“Any previous episodes?”

“No.”

“And your appetite generally? Are you eating well?”

“Well enough.”

“Sleeping?”

Alina hesitated. “Not particularly well.”

“How many hours per night would you say?”

“Four. Maybe five.”

Dr. Mitchell made notes. “That’s quite low. How long has that been going on?”

“A few weeks.”

“And would you say your mood has been affected by the lack of sleep?”

The questions were gentle. Casual.

But Alina recognized the pattern.

This wasn’t about food poisoning.

This was a psychiatric evaluation.

“My mood is fine,” she said carefully.

“No feelings of sadness? Hopelessness?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“So you have been experiencing those feelings?”

Alina’s jaw tightened. “I’ve been under stress. That’s not the same as being unstable.”

“No one said unstable-”

“Then what are you actually here for, Doctor? Because this doesn’t feel like a follow-up for food poisoning.”

Dr. Mitchell’s expression remained pleasant. “I’m here to make sure you’re alright. Mrs. Margaret mentioned you’ve been having a difficult time recently. I just want to ensure you have the support you need.”

“I don’t need support. I need to be left alone.”

“Do you feel isolated, Mrs. Blackwood?”

4/6

“I feel interrogated.”

“That’s not my intention-”

+30 Bonus

“Isn’t it?” Alina stood. “Margaret called you specifically. Brought you to my room. Started asking questions about my mental state. This isn’t about food poisoning. This is about finding an excuse to declare me unfit.”

Margaret’s expression shifted. “Alina, you’re being paranoid-”

“Am I? Or am I finally seeing clearly?”

Alina turned to Dr. Mitchell. “Did she show you my journal? Is that why you’re here?”

The doctor’s pause was answer enough.

“She stole it from my room,” Alina continued, voice hard. “Violated my privacy. Read my personal thoughts. And now she’s using them to paint me as unstable.”

“Mrs. Blackwood, if you’re experiencing thoughts of self-harm-”

“I’m not! I’m experiencing thoughts of escape from a situation where I’m being controlled and manipulated!”

“Alina, calm down-” Margaret moved forward.

“Don’t tell me to calm down! You poisoned my food this morning, didn’t you? Made me sick so you could bring him here. So you could have a doctor declare me mentally incompetent.”

“That’s absurd-”

“Is it? Then explain the timing. Explain the sudden illness right before a psychiatrist arrives. Explain why my journal was stolen and read without my permission.”