Then Linda’s calm voice cut through the air.
“Doctor, she should be ready now.”
The world beneath the bed narrowed to shadows, dust, and sound. My heart pounded so hard I was sure they could hear it. Emily stood stiff beside the bed, her small fists clenched.
The man with the silver watch spoke evenly.
“Mrs. Reynolds, the consent documents were already signed. Postpartum outcomes can be unpredictable.”
Linda exhaled, practiced and smooth.
“I understand. It’s tragic. But my son has been under so much stress. Losing his wife would be devastating… though unavoidable.”
Losing his wife.
My stomach twisted violently. This wasn’t medical care. This was removal.
Another nurse entered—I recognized her shoes immediately, white with a thin blue stripe. She hesitated.
“Doctor… her vitals were stable earlier.”
The doctor paused. “We’ll reassess.”
They moved closer. The mattress dipped slightly. My muscles screamed as I stayed frozen, breath locked in my chest.
Then Emily spoke.
“She isn’t here.”
The silence that followed was crushing.
“What do you mean?” Linda snapped.
“My mom went to the bathroom,” Emily said quietly.
“That’s not possible,” the doctor replied. “She wouldn’t be allowed to—”
“Allowed to what?”
Mark’s voice came from the doorway.
The door opened wider. His shoes stopped abruptly.
Linda laughed too quickly. “Oh, Mark, we were just—”
“Why is a doctor in here talking about consent forms?” Mark cut in. “I just spoke to the nurse’s station. They said my wife hasn’t been cleared for anything.”
The nurse with the blue-striped shoes stepped back. “Sir, I was told—”
“By who?” Mark demanded.
FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSE ONLY
Linda’s expression tightened. “Mark, this isn’t—”
Emily dropped to her knees and lifted the bed skirt.
“Dad,” she said, her voice shaking but loud, “Mom is under here because Grandma is trying to hurt her.”
Mark froze.
Slowly, he knelt and looked under the bed. Our eyes met. All color drained from his face.
“What?” he whispered.
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