“Dr. Daniel Brooks.”
Michael went pale.
It was quick.
Almost invisible.
But I saw it.
So did Rachel.
Amber saw it too, because her confidence flickered.
Dr. Brooks stepped fully into the room.
“I said leave.”
Michael recovered quickly. “I’m her husband.”
“And I’m the physician responsible for her care. You are upsetting my patient and her newborn.”
Amber scoffed. “This is ridiculous.”
Dr. Brooks looked at her for the first time.
“Ms. Collins, you especially should know when to stop talking.”
The color drained from Amber’s face.
My heart kicked.
“You know her?” I asked.
Dr. Brooks didn’t answer.
Michael grabbed Amber’s wrist.
“We’re leaving.”
Rachel blocked the doorway.
“No, I want to hear this.”
Michael glared at me.
“Catherine, don’t do this.”
There it was.
The old command hidden inside a plea.
Don’t embarrass me.
Don’t question me.
Don’t make this hard.
Don’t make me responsible.
For eleven years, those words had trained me.
Not anymore.
I looked at Dr. Brooks.
“What does he know?”
Michael’s voice sharpened. “Catherine.”
I didn’t look away from the doctor.
“What does he know?” I repeated.
Dr. Brooks’s face tightened.
“This isn’t the time.”
I almost smiled.
“Apparently, neither was labor.”
The room fell silent.
Dr. Brooks exhaled.
Then he turned toward Michael.
“Tell her yourself.”
