Chapter 1 - The Secret of the Supply Room
Inside the narrow, dimly lit supply room, the smell of sterile gauze and rub-alcohol clung to the humid air.
Leah Carver pressed her back against the cold metal shelving, her arms wrapped tightly around her newborn son, Leo. Her surgical incision throbbed with a hot, sharp ache, but she barely dared to breathe. Beside her, Nurse Mae Rowland stood with her hand resting firmly on the doorknob, her jaw set as she strained to listen to the voices outside.
"Once the psychiatric hold is signed, the baby leaves with family. Leah doesn’t get a choice."
Doreen Carver’s voice was crisp, educated, and completely devoid of warmth. It was the exact tone she used when ordering waitstaff at her country club or instructing estate lawyers on tax loopholes.
"Mom," Nathan’s hesitant, weak voice answered from the hallway. "Are you sure Dr. Rusk can clear the paperwork before the night shift comes in? What if Leah wakes up and raises a scene?"
"She won't raise a scene, Nathan," Doreen replied smoothly. "Dr. Rusk has already documented three weeks of 'severe perinatal psychosis' in her medical chart. The dream she had about losing the baby in the river? The anxiety at her checkups? It's all signed, sealed, and witnessed. The court will give us emergency custody by morning."
Leah’s knees almost gave out. She clutched her baby closer to her chest.
Severe perinatal psychosis. They hadn't just planned to take her baby—they had systematically constructed a fake psychiatric history to declare her legally insane.
Mae turned her head slowly, her dark eyes flashing in the gloom of the supply closet. She leaned into Leah’s ear and whispered, "I’m going out there to stall them. The second I clear the hallway, take the emergency stairs down to the basement service exit. My cousin is waiting in a silver sedan near the laundry bay."
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"Why are you doing this for me?" Leah whispered, tears brimming in her eyes.
Mae’s expression darkened. "Because five years ago, Doreen Carver and Dr. Rusk did the exact same thing to my younger sister. They took her twin girls and buried her in a private psychiatric facility until she took her own life. I won't let them do it again."
