My womb was too thin. After this induction, I might never carry another child as long as I lived.
I nodded.
"I've made my decision."
The doctor held the consent form I'd had Joel sign last night.
"If the family member's signature checks out, we'll prepare to go in."
That was when a nurse came rushing over.
"Dr. Finch, there's a situation in the VIP wing."
"There's a pregnant woman—Lillian Fox—saying she's in pain and won't settle for anything less than our best suite."
"But that suite was reserved by Miss Sullivan two weeks ago."
I froze.
Lillian?
What was she doing here?
Before I could make sense of it, a commotion broke out at the far end of the corridor.
Joel had his arm around Lillian, flanked by a wall of bodyguards as they walked toward me.
Lillian's cheeks were pink, glowing. Not a flicker of discomfort on her face.
She spotted me instantly, and her eyes lit up.
"Oh, Joel—what a coincidence! Pauline's here too."
She cradled her belly with both hands and nestled against Joel, all softness and sweet helplessness.
"Pauline, I feel just terrible about this. I think I caught a chill last night, and the baby won't stop fussing."
"Joel insisted—he absolutely wouldn't let me stay home."