Chapter 10 - The Emergency Surgery
Emily’s contractions intensified shortly after midnight.
Dr. Patel ordered another ultrasound.
This time, a dark area appeared behind the placenta.
The kick had caused a partial separation.
Emily was bleeding internally.
The baby’s heart rate began falling.
“We need to deliver him now,” Dr. Patel said.
Fear finally broke through Emily’s control.
“He is too early.”
“He has a strong chance.”
“But waiting is more dangerous.”
Raymond took her hand.
“I will be outside.”
Emily looked toward the empty space where Preston should have stood.
Then she looked at Hannah.
“Will you stay?”
The nurse nodded.
“As long as you need me.”
The operating room team moved quickly.
Every medication was verified by two people.
Every entry was recorded.
Every door was guarded.
Emily remained awake beneath regional anesthesia.
She listened to the surgical team speak in calm, precise voices.
Then she heard a small cry.
Thin.
Fragile.
Alive.
Tears moved silently into her hair.
Dr. Patel lifted the baby just long enough for Emily to see him.
“He is here.”
Her son was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit.
He weighed three pounds, eleven ounces.
His lungs needed support, but his heart was strong.
Emily asked to name him Elias Raymond Hale.
Elias for her mother Elizabeth.
Raymond for the uncle who came when she called.
She did not give him Preston’s surname.
Hours later, Emily woke in recovery.
Raymond was beside her.
“The baby is stable.”
“Preston?”
“In custody.”
“Vanessa?”
“Also in custody.”
“My father?”
“Police are questioning him.”
Emily closed her eyes.
The nightmare should have been ending.
Then a nurse entered.
She held a printed laboratory report.
The blood collected from Emily before surgery contained a second substance.
It was not lorazepam.
It was a rare anticoagulant that increased the risk of catastrophic bleeding.
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Someone had administered it after Raymond secured the floor.
The conspiracy still had someone inside the hospital.
