Chapter 5 – The Hospital Truth
Carol confronted Emily the moment they were alone.
"When was your last doctor's appointment?"
Emily frowned.
"Last Tuesday."
"Are you sure?"
"Ryan drove me."
"What happened there?"
Emily hesitated.
"We waited... then he said the doctor had an emergency and we'd reschedule."
Carol's blood ran cold.
She told Emily about the phone call.
Emily stared blankly.
"No..."
"They said you haven't been seen in nearly two months."
Emily slowly sat down.
Her breathing became uneven.
"He told me everything was fine."
"He lied."
Emily covered her face.
Then another realization struck her.
"The vitamins."
"What about them?"
"Ryan said the doctor switched my prescription."
Carol grabbed the bottle from Emily's purse.
The label had no pharmacy information.
No prescription number.
Just plain white stickers.
Carol searched the pills online using her phone.
They weren't prenatal vitamins.
They were inexpensive calcium supplements.
Emily burst into tears.
"He told me he was taking care of us."
At that exact moment, a sharp pain crossed Emily's face.
She doubled over.
"Mom..."
Another pain.
Stronger.
Then warm liquid spread across the hardwood floor.
Carol's heart stopped.
Emily looked down in horror.
"My water..."
The front door opened.
Ryan walked inside carrying grocery bags.
Instead of rushing toward his laboring wife...
He froze.
Not with fear.
May you like
With anger.
"You weren't supposed to go into labor today."
