Ignoring the pain, I slid off the bed and crawled underneath just as the door handle turned.
From the floor, I saw shoes enter the room.
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.”
