Chapter 2 - “You Fell”
I woke to an unfamiliar ceiling.
For several seconds, I didn't know where I was.
Then I saw the IV.
The hospital bracelet.
And Daniel asleep in a chair beside the window.
My hands moved automatically to my stomach.
A nurse came in before I could ask.
Her face told me first.
The doctor told me the rest.
Both babies were gone.
After that, time stopped behaving normally.
People spoke.
I heard parts.
Hemorrhage.
Trauma.
Procedure.
Monitoring.
I turned toward the wall.
Four months.
Two heartbeats.
Two blurry little figures we had watched kicking across an ultrasound monitor.
Gone.
Daniel woke sometime later.
He cried beside my bed.
At least I think he did.
I could not look at him.
The doctor left.
The nurse left.
Daniel closed the door.
That sound reached me.
Click.
He moved his chair beside the bed.
“You understand what happened?”
I finally looked at him.
“You pushed me.”
His face changed instantly.
“You lost your balance.”
“I told you not to touch me.”
“Emily, you're medicated.”
“I remember.”
“Your memory could be confused.”
“No.”
He leaned closer.
“Listen to me.”
I saw no grief anymore.
Only calculation.
“There was an argument. You were upset. You stepped backward.”
“You pushed me.”
His jaw tightened.
“If you start making accusations, police get involved.”
“Good.”
“Lawyers. Statements. Child services if we ever try again.”
I stared at him.
He lowered his voice.
“My career could be destroyed.”
Our children had been dead for hours.
Daniel was already talking about his career.
Then he said:
“We can have other children.”
Something inside me went completely quiet.
He must have seen it.
Because his voice softened immediately.
“That came out wrong.”
“No.”
“Emily—”
“Leave.”
“You shouldn't be alone.”
“I want you to leave.”
He stood.
For a second I thought he would argue.
Then he picked up his coat.
“I'll get coffee.”
May you like
The door closed.
Only then did I remember the blinking red light above the stairs.
