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."
"I heard you booked the best VIP suite here. You wouldn't mind giving it up for me, would you? Just this once?"
Joel stared at me, his face cold.
"Pauline. You really know how to run, don't you."
"What's next—hiding from me in a hospital?"
He didn't even glance at my swollen belly.
"Give the room to Lily. She's having complications."
I sat on the bench and looked up at him.
"I need a room too."
Joel let out a cold laugh.
"A room for what? There's nothing wrong with you."
"Lily's delicate. What are you doing fighting her for a bed?"
Lillian stepped forward and snatched the hospital bag I'd set on the chair.
She ripped the zipper open and the baby clothes inside spilled across the floor.
She nudged them with her foot, lip curling.
"Oh my, Pauline—what even is all this? These little rags?"
"Joel got me a full set of custom ones, you know."
She stood on top of those soft little garments, laughing so hard her shoulders shook.
Joel watched her from the side, indulgent, unbothered.
"Enough. Forget about her. Let's go to the room."
I looked at the clothes on the floor, dirty now under her shoes.
I'd sewn every stitch of them by hand over the past six months.
I stood up slowly.
"Take the room."
"I don't need it anymore."