A sharp, stabbing pain seized my stomach, so intense it stole my breath. It felt like I was being torn in two. “Something’s wrong,” I gasped. “The baby…”

“Convenient timing,” Mills scoffed. “Sit still.”

The pain intensified, a relentless, white-hot agony. I felt a sudden, warm gush between my legs. “I’m bleeding,” I cried out, my voice raw with panic. “Please, help me.”

“You’re not bleeding,” Mills said, his voice laced with boredom. “Stop moving or we’ll add resisting arrest to the charges.”

The nurse, ignoring him, pulled back my blanket. She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “She’s hemorrhaging! Get Dr. Blake in here now!”