Smothered(A Gripping Domestic Thriller With An Astonishing Twist)

As Kaden followed Lila through the house and towards the bedrooms, he was struck by the pristine orderliness that seemed to permeate every corner. The furnishings are tastefully arranged, each item meticulously placed with an almost clinical precision. The air carried a faint scent of disinfectant, hinting at Florence's meticulous cleanliness. When they reached Lila's childhood bedroom, his eyes widened in surprise at the sight that greeted him.

In the bedroom, Kaden just stared at the shelves adorned with dolls, teddy bears, and other childhood relics. A twin bed sat against one wall, adorned with a colorful quilt and stuffed animals, leaving little space for anything else. Kaden looked around, taking in the sight with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

“Wow, it's like stepping into a time capsule,” he remarked, a faint smile playing on his lips as he gestured to the array of toys and reached to pick up one of the teddy bears sitting up on the nearby dresser.

Lila chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with fond memories. “Yeah, I’m surprised she has still kept it the same way. I guess it's like preserving a piece of my childhood or something. I don’t know.”

Kaden's curiosity got the better of him as he surveyed the room and noted boxes of medical supplies that lined one wall, creating a cluttered yet organized atmosphere.

“What's with all the medical stuff?” he asked, turning to Lila with a quizzical expression on his handsome face.

Amidst the perfectly made bed and neatly arranged furniture, there was an array of medical equipment scattered throughout the room. The sight of IV stands, oxygen tanks, and various other medical devices served as a testament to one who was very ill. Briefly, Kaden’s grandmother came to mind as he had spent as much time as possible with her during those last days.

Despite the orderly appearance of the room, there was an underlying sense of melancholy that hung in the air, a tangible reminder of the hardships the ill family member may have endured. Lila's gaze flickered to the floor, her fingers tracing the edges of a childhood toy as she struggled to find the right words. Finally, she met Kaden's eyes, her expression touched with vulnerability.

“I... I struggled with an illness as a child,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “It... it was tough, and I missed a lot of school because of it.”

Kaden's heart ached as he took in Lila's revelation, his admiration for her resilience deepening with each passing moment. He reached out to gently squeeze her hand, offering silent support as she opened up about her past.

“I had no idea,” he murmured, his voice filled with empathy. “But you're so strong, Lila. You've been through so much, and yet you're still standing.”

Lila offered him a faint smile, her eyes shining with gratitude. “Thanks, Kaden,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. “It means a lot to me.”

As they stood together in the solemn silence of the room, Kaden realized just how much Lila had endured, and his determination to protect her grew stronger than ever.

Kaden's eyes flickered across the photos on the wall over a white writing desk, each one featuring Florence and Lila with beaming smiles, arms draped around each other.

“Looks like you two have always been close,” he remarked, trying to keep his tone light.

Lila smiled, her eyes twinkling. “Yeah, we're pretty tight.”

Kaden's eyebrows rose. “I can see that. These pictures are practically screaming BFFs.”

Lila chuckled. “Yeah, that's pretty much the vibe we've always had. Mom has always kinda been my best friend.”

The words hung in the air, and Kaden noticed Lila's smile had become noticeably strained. He turned to face her, noticing the tension in her petite shoulders.

“You okay?” he asked, genuinely concerned.

Lila shook her head, her smile tightening even further. “What, oh…yeah. Everything's fine.”

But Kaden wasn't convinced.

As they continued talking briefly about Lila’s childhood, Kaden couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. There was an underlying tension in the room now, and he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was. His attention shifted to a connecting door leading to another room, which appeared to serve as a makeshift storage space. More medical equipment was taking up space in the small room and Kaden wondered why Florence would have so much of this stuff here if Lila was no longer sick.

“Lila,” Kaden begins tentatively, turning to her with a grimace. “Seriously, there’s a lot of stuff in here. Is your mom running a medical supply...”

“What are you two doing in here?” Florence's voice was sharp, like a thunderclap breaking the silence. Lila and Kaden both whirled at the sudden sound of Florence’s arrival in the doorway behind them.

“I was just showing Kaden around and we just ended up in here,” Lila explained as Florence put on a smile, and moved closer to her. Kaden stepped back towards the doorway as Florence rearranged a few of the boxes.

“You really shouldn’t be in here. These are donations and I don’t want them contaminated before I can bring them to the shelter,” Florence explained, her voice softening as she spoke.

Kaden nodded, impressed by Florence's altruistic efforts as he surveyed the room full of medical supplies. “Wow, that's kind of you, Florence…” he remarked, feeling a newfound sense of respect for Lila's mother.

“Mrs. Sherman.” Florence corrected him before she took Lila by the hand and the two headed toward the doorway, “I am feeling much better, so I made some lunch. You must be starved, Lila. For goodness sake, you’ve gotten so thin since you left home!”

“I’m fine, Mom,” Lila promised as their voices faded and the women moved further away from the bedroom and down the hall. Kaden quickly brought up the rear as he looked at the spread Florence had put out for them.

The dining room exuded a sense of quiet elegance, with its polished wooden table adorned with delicate china and gleaming silverware. Sunlight filtered through the lace curtains, casting soft patterns across the room. Upon the table, a modest spread awaited – a crisp salad of mixed greens, vibrant tomatoes, and slices of cucumber, glistening with a light vinaigrette. Beside it, a platter of cheeses, arranged with precision, beckoned with its rich fragrance. A basket of yeast rolls sat nearby, accompanied by a small bowl of fragrant olive oil. And at the center of it all, a steaming tureen of soup emitted a comforting aroma, promising warmth and nourishment.

“Wow, this is really some setup Flo…” Kaden paused as he caught himself before continuing, “Mrs. Sherman.”

Lila sat down as Kaden held her chair, still fishing for brownie points with Florence because he was also a gentleman. Before he could take his seat next to his girlfriend, Florence spoke up.

“Kaden, I’m so sorry to bother you but could you please bring me the glass carafe in the refrigerator? I’m afraid I may have overfilled it, and it’s a little too heavy for me to manage right now.”

“Yes, Mrs. Sherman,” Kaden replied, as he smiled at the older woman and snuck a wink at Lila before leaving the room to do Florence’s bidding. In the kitchen, he found the pitcher of what looked like iced tea in the refrigerator and hefted it up into his hands. As he turned and closed the refrigerator with his foot, the sleek glass threatened to crash from his hands, but Kaden somehow managed to save the vessel from falling.

Groaning, he saw that a lot of the liquid had spilled out onto the floor since it had been filled to the very top of the pitcher, just as Florence had said. Setting it down, Kaden quickly unrolled a few sheets of paper towel from the dispenser on the counter and hunkered down to clean the mess, but it only made the spill worse. As he bent down to apply more paper towels to the sodden mess, he realized that a mop and some floor cleaner might better take care of the spill.

Kaden's eyes darted around the unfamiliar kitchen, searching for the possible location of Florence’s cleaning supplies. His gaze landed on a door tucked away in the corner, its surface blending seamlessly with the surrounding walls. Kaden abandoned the spill momentarily and made his way over to investigate. Pulling open the door, Kaden discovered a compact utility closet tucked away inside. A stacked washer/dryer unit stood prominently in the limited space, its sleek design catching his eye. Right next to it was a series of shelves that ran from top to bottom, loaded with plenty of cleaning options. He reached out to grab a mop, and bottle of solution from the shelf beside it, taking care not to disturb the neatly organized supplies.

Working fast to clean up the spill, Kaden couldn't shake the feeling of being an unwelcome guest in Florence's home, and he hurried to finish the task at hand before they noticed how long he’d been gone. Grabbing more paper towels, he blotted up any moisture from the floor the mop had left, making it appear as if nothing at all had happened.

When he got ready to stand, he frowned as he noticed a bit of amber-colored plastic peeking out from beneath the stove where it had fallen, apparently undetected. Taking the empty bottle up in his hands after he set the glass pitcher on the floor, Kaden couldn’t help but notice the label was partially torn off. From what he could see, it looked like Lila’s name was printed on it.

He couldn't shake the worrying sense of apprehension as he scanned the countertop, his eyes drawn to the assortment of amber-colored medication bottles of all sizes. Standing to his full height, he approached the counter to take a closer look at the pill bottles, each bearing Florence's name. Some were expired, and other prescriptions looked barely touched. It was a disconcerting sight, one that set his nerves on edge and sent a shiver down his spine.

Before he could dwell on the implications, and just as he feared, the sound of approaching footsteps shattered the uneasy silence. Kaden's heart skipped a beat as he hastily tucked the empty bottle with Lila’s name on it into his pocket and then dropped to the floor with the paper towel still in hand, making rubbing motions where the spill had been.

“What happened?” he heard a voice bark, his pulse pounding in his ears as he looked up. Florence had appeared in the doorway, her gaze sharp and probing as it swept over the scene before her. Kaden's stomach churned with apprehension, a knot of tension forming in the pit of his gut.  He managed a feeble smile, his voice strained as he gestured towards the partially empty glass jug, his mind scrambling for an excuse.

“Sorry about the mess,” Kaden muttered, his tone strained with forced nonchalance. “Just cleaning it up.”

Florence's expression softened, and with a nod, she offered a dismissive wave of her hand, though the tension was thick and heavy, like a fog. “Well, be more careful next time.”

“Yes, Mrs. Sherman.”

As they made their way back to the dining room, Kaden couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort that gripped him. The mystery of the medication bottle with Lila’s name on it gnawed at him, a puzzle begging to be solved. And as he settled back at the table, his mind whirled with unanswered questions, each more ominous than the last.

When they were all gathered around the dining table as they began eating, Florence turned her attention to Kaden. “So, Kaden, what do you do for a living?” she inquired, her tone flavored with curiosity.

Kaden hesitated for a moment, then replied, “I work for Urbanista, a newspaper based in New York City.”

Florence raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk playing on her lips. “Urbanista, huh? Is that some kind of newspaper for hipsters who work at coffee shops?” she teased as Kaden suppressed a sigh, and forced a polite smile.

“Not quite, Mrs. Sherman,” he replied, choosing his words carefully. “Urbanista focuses on community affairs and events in the city that often go unnoticed by larger publications. We strive to provide our readers with unique perspectives on the issues that matter most to them in our urban community.”

“Kaden does a lot for Urbanista,” Lila interjected, her face beaming with pride, “He's very dedicated to his work and always goes above and beyond. And Kaden….”

Florence nodded, seemingly satisfied with Lila's explanation as she reached to squeeze her daughter’s hand to keep her from speaking further, or at least that’s how it looked to Kaden, “That's nice, dear,” she remarked, keeping her full attention on Lila now. “And what about you? What do you do at this…Urbanista?”

Lila hesitated, her gaze flickering uncertainly between Kaden and her mother. “Well, I'm just a receptionist so far,” she admitted quietly. “But I'm learning a lot and hoping to move up in the company someday.”

Florence nodded approvingly. “That's the spirit, Turtledove,” she said, her tone encouraging. “But speaking of work, I have some news of my own to share. Shortly after you left, I retired from the hospital.”

Kaden and Lila exchanged surprised glances, their curiosity piqued by Florence's unexpected announcement. As Lila’s mother launched into an explanation of her retirement and her intention to pursue other interests, Kaden couldn't help but wonder what secrets Florence might be hiding behind her seemingly benign facade. Kaden also noticed the subtle shift in tension between Lila and Florence. Lila's hurt expression didn't escape him as Florence casually mentioned her retirement plans.

“I didn't know that, Mom,” Lila said softly, her voice marked with disappointment, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Honey, you've been so busy with your life in the city, I figured you wouldn't have time to worry about little old me back here in boring Plattsburgh.” Florence said with a look in Kaden’s direction before she spoke again, “After all, Lila, you seem to have had some…changes in your life that I am sure have taken up much of your time.”

Kaden didn’t say anything at Florence’s subtle dig at him but Lila let out a nervous giggle as she tried desperately to steer the conversation back to Florence and her retirement.

“With my position at the hospital, and in the time since I retired, I single-handedly secured medical supply donations that I intend to give to the programs here that help the less fortunate,” Florence revealed, with a smug smile as Lila’s eyes widened at the news. “The hospital is presenting me with an award for my efforts!”

Florence's eyes sparkled with excitement as she proudly brandished the letter she had received, announcing the impending award for her outstanding service in nursing. The crisp paper trembled slightly in her hands, a tangible symbol of the recognition she had long coveted.

“Look what came in the mail,” she exclaimed, her voice spiced with excitement as she passed the letter to Lila. “It's official – they're recognizing all my years of hard work and dedication within the nursing staff.”

Kaden and Lila leaned in to examine the letter, their expressions a mix of surprise and admiration. The words on the page were a testament to Florence's commitment to her profession, a glowing tribute to her tireless efforts in caring for others.

“It's incredible, Mom,” Lila breathed, her eyes shining with pride as she reached out to grasp Florence's hand. “You deserve every bit of this recognition and more.”

Next, she passed the letter to Kaden to look over, and he quickly skimmed the contents before handing it back to Lila, who beamed as she read it again. As Florence basked in the glow of her impending accolade, Kaden couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at him from within. There was something about the timing of this award, something that didn't quite add up.

“Congrats, Mrs. Sherman. That is pretty awesome,” Kaden said, still maintaining his polite demeanor despite Florence’s subtle rudeness toward him earlier.

“Yes, it’s going to be a very big deal,” Florence declared as she clasped her hands together.

As Florence proudly regaled them with the details of the upcoming award ceremony, Kaden's eyebrows raised in surprise. “I didn't realize you were a nurse,” he remarked, his tone laced with genuine curiosity.

Lila, sitting beside Kaden, nodded in agreement, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips. “Yeah, Mom's been in nursing practically forever,” she added, her voice carrying a hint of admiration for her mother's long-standing career.

Florence's smile widened, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of pride and nostalgia. “Yes, it's been quite the journey,” she replied, her voice flecked with a touch of wistfulness. “I've dedicated the better part of my life to caring for others, and I wouldn't have it any other way.”

At least he knew now why there were so many medical supplies.

Florence's lips curved into a smug smile as she surveyed Lila’s mood now, her eyes shimmering with calculated intent. “Yes, that's right,” she chimed in smoothly. “I still like to volunteer at the local hospital sometimes, you know, since I have so much time on my hands now.”

Kaden's gaze flickered between mother and daughter, a sharp pang of unease settling in the pit of his stomach. He could see right through Florence's thinly veiled attempt to guilt-trip Lila into feeling responsible for her loneliness. It was a subtle manipulation tactic, designed to assert control and garner sympathy.

Florence looked at them both, an air of mystery in her expression as she spoke again, “I have even more news, Lila.”

Florence gushed as she announced to them that she had recently started a small business venture on the Etsy crafting platform a few months prior.

“Quilts.” She stated, revealing that she had pulled out her old sewing machine to combat the house being so quiet since Lila had moved downstate. It had started with one quilt, which turned into more as their popularity increased.

“I have so many orders coming in I’ve had to hire an assistant,” Florence gushed as Lila’s eyes widened at all the new things her mother had been up to over the past six months yet never said a word.

But Kaden felt the skepticism course through him. He could be mistaken, but it seemed like Florence was attempting to highlight how much Lila's move to the city had affected her. The woman was coming across as if she was suffering, but opening an Etsy shop and starting a quilting business right after retiring hardly seemed like the actions of someone who was struggling without her daughter.

I call bullshit Kaden thought to himself, feeling a twinge of skepticism towards Florence's sudden projects and her portrayal of herself as a neglected mother.

In truth, it irritated him as Lila was a sensitive type and he could tell that she was hurt by how easily mother seemed to be getting along without her. But it could be a good thing if Florence was distracted by her new, fabulous life. He wanted Lila to know that he was very serious about making things more permanent with their relationship and the last thing he needed was to make an even worse impression on her mother.

He wanted Florence to know his true intentions too, because he loved Lila and wanted to become a bigger part of her life. But Kaden got a niggling feeling that something was off about Lila’s mother, and he was still trying to figure her out.

Florence got up and took the soup tureen into the kitchen as Lila began to clear the table. Funny, that soup bowl was nearly as heavy as the glass pitcher, if not more, but Florence had picked it up like it was nothing at all. Kaden didn’t say anything but did his best to help by bringing in the rest of the dishes to be put on the counter and ready for the dishwasher. A few moments later Florence and Lila disappeared, and he could hear their voices faintly as he wondered what this woman’s deal was.

Was Florence pretending to be helpless to get sympathy?

“Kaden?” Florence called him, and as he came out of the kitchen she and Lila stood near a door that he assumed was a home-office type of setup. He was surprised, however, to see that when Florence opened the door there were stairs that led down to the lower level, “Are you coming?”

“I’m right behind you,” Kaden answered, as Florence led the way down to the basement.