squeaked down the emergency room corridor. Debra ran alongside the bed, clutchin

hrough her pelvis. After a quick palpation, the ER physician frowned and barked at the nurse, "Prep an ab

stomach. The doctor carefully studied the grainy black-and-white moni

b after an IV drip was started. The doctor pulled a r

u have severe soft-tissue bruising, abdominal muscle spasms,

was finally allowed into the bay, she rushed forward

s hand. "Mom, stop crying. Nothing is ruptured. I

s. "I'm your mother, just listen to me-stop

bra's statement, but Irl and Corie had already f

the heart attack. Although the doctor ordered her to rest for at least forty-

weeks

ten days late, but stress had disrupted her cycle before, and she assumed the symptoms were lingering effects of the assault. Sh

ician ordered a stat quantitative HC

onal sac was visible inside her uterus. The doctor studied the measurements bef

e pregnant. Roughl

her head. A loud ringing filled her ears, and her hand drift

day of conception," the doctor explained. "Based on your hormone levels and the ult

week

flashed behind her eyelids-that on

horionic hemorrhage and unusually low progesterone. Physical exhaustion and dehydration have like

g them again, her voice shook. "Docto

e doctor replied evenly. "A surgical termination could cause adhesions or further damage that may com

er. How could she raise a baby alone? Yet the thought of extinguishing the tiny life inside her-and pos

hardening with resolve. "Adm

the clipboard. "I'll have the n

. "Please, under HIPAA privacy rules, you can't tell my mot

your consent. We can tell her only that you're being treated

nie forced a weak smile and patted her mother's hand. "Mom, it's residual in

ra said, wiping her tears. "This time, you'r

cking account balance, and dialed her HR supervisor. "Hello? I've been hospitalized with acute a

the supervisor snapped. "You figure out if you still

use office of Apex Capital Group, Fed Maddox walked briskl

eceived an urgent upd

air, an unlit Cuban cigar between hi

Manhattan Private Hospital twenty minutes

rop twenty degrees as his fingers tightened around the ciga

rsey's voice was

regnant," Fed said quietly. "Her physician estimates that conception occu

ged to his feet, grabbing his suit jacket. "Bri