Chapter 2
Marcus stared at the doctor's note as though the words were written in another language.
Then he read the first line aloud.
"Pregnancy complicated by severe hypertension. Immediate reassessment required if symptoms worsen."
His voice stopped.
I watched him read the next paragraph.
My chest tightened.
I knew what it said.
I'd read it so many times that I could almost recite it.
Avoid unnecessary physical exertion.
Monitor symptoms.
Seek urgent medical evaluation for persistent abdominal pain, severe headache, vision changes, or decreased fetal movement.
Marcus looked up.
"Nia, when did you get this?"
I wiped my cheeks.
"Yesterday."
"Yesterday?"
I nodded.
He looked toward Evelyn.
"Mom?"
She crossed her arms.
"What?"
"Did you know about this?"
Her face changed.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
Fear.
Then she lifted her chin.
"Nia showed me some paperwork."
Marcus stared at her.
"Some paperwork?"
Evelyn waved her hand.
"Doctors exaggerate things these days."
I felt something inside me snap.
"No."
Everyone turned toward me.
I had spent months swallowing my words.
Trying to be respectful.
Trying not to cause problems.
Trying to convince myself that Evelyn was simply difficult.
But now my baby's safety was involved.
And I was done pretending.
"You read that entire note."
Evelyn's eyes narrowed.
"Nia, watch your tone."
I shook my head.
"No."
My voice trembled.
"You stood in the kitchen while I explained everything."
Marcus looked at me.
"What did you explain?"
I swallowed.
"That the doctor was worried about my blood pressure."
His face tightened.
"And?"
"That I needed follow-up testing."
I wiped my cheeks.
"And that I wasn't supposed to keep pushing myself when I felt sick."
Marcus closed his eyes.
For a moment, he looked devastated.
Then he asked quietly, "Why didn't you call me?"
The question hurt.
Because I had tried.
I looked toward Evelyn.
"Because someone told me you were too busy."
Marcus turned.
"What?"
Evelyn shook her head.
"Oh, please."
I continued.
"She said you were working on the biggest contract of your career."
My voice cracked.
"She told me if I interrupted you over pregnancy symptoms, I'd be proving I wasn't ready to be a mother."
Vanessa looked down.
Marcus went completely still.
"Mom."
His voice was barely audible.
"Did you say that?"
Evelyn shrugged.
"I told her not to panic."
I shook my head.
"You told me to stop being selfish."
Marcus took one step toward her.
"Get out."
Evelyn stared.
"Excuse me?"
"Get out of my house."
Vanessa jumped up.
"Marcus, you're overreacting!"
He turned toward her.
"My wife is having medical complications, and you're sitting here eating while she cleans your dishes."
Vanessa crossed her arms.
"Nobody forced her."
I stared at her.
"Your mother said she'd tell Marcus I was lazy if I stopped."
Vanessa looked away.
Marcus's expression hardened.
"Everyone out."
Evelyn pointed at him.
"You wouldn't have this house if I hadn't raised you!"
Marcus didn't raise his voice.
He simply said, "And I wouldn't forgive myself if something happened to my wife because I was afraid to stand up to you."
I felt tears rise.
Then another wave of pain tightened across my stomach.
I grabbed the back of the couch.
Marcus turned instantly.
"Nia?"
I tried to answer.
But the pain sharpened.
I bent forward.
He caught me before I lost my balance.
"Baby, look at me."
I gripped his shirt.
"Something's wrong."
His expression changed.
"What's happening?"
"My stomach."
I gasped.
"It's getting tight."
He guided me onto the couch.
"Are you having contractions?"
"I don't know."
The baby had been quieter than usual.
I'd told myself she was sleeping.
I'd told myself everything was fine.
But now fear rushed through me.
"Marcus..."
He knelt beside me.
"I'm here."
My hands shook.
"She hasn't been moving much."
His face drained of color.
"How long?"
I started crying.
"Since this morning."
Marcus immediately reached for his phone.
Evelyn stepped forward.
"Don't make a scene. She's probably just tired."
Marcus turned toward her.
"Not another word."
The room went silent.
He called my maternity unit and explained my symptoms.
The nurse told us to come in immediately.
Marcus helped me stand.
Vanessa stepped toward the doorway.
"Do you need us to—"
"No," Marcus said.
His voice was cold.
"You need to leave."
He grabbed my hospital bag from the hallway closet.
Then he came back for me.
I leaned against him.
Every step felt frightening.
At the front door, Evelyn called after us.
"Marcus, don't forget who your real family is!"
He stopped.
For a moment, I thought he might turn around and shout.
Instead, he looked at me.
Then he said quietly, "My wife and daughter are my family."
And we left.
The drive to the hospital felt endless.
I sat in the passenger seat, one hand pressed against my stomach.
Marcus kept glancing toward me.
"Talk to me, baby."
I swallowed.
"I'm scared."
He reached for my hand at a red light.
"I know."
"What if something happens to her?"
His eyes filled.
"We're getting you help."
I started crying.
"I should've called you yesterday."
He shook his head.
"Nia, don't blame yourself."
"But—"
"No."
His voice broke.
"You asked for help. You told my mother what the doctor said. You were trying to keep the peace."
I stared at him.
He continued.
"I should've noticed what was happening."
I shook my head.
"You didn't know."
He swallowed.
"Then we're going to make sure nobody keeps things from us again."
When we arrived, the nurses moved quickly.
They checked my blood pressure.
Attached monitors.
Asked questions.
My numbers were high.
Too high.
A doctor entered.
Her expression was serious.
"Nia, we're concerned about preeclampsia."
I felt my stomach drop.
Marcus squeezed my hand.
The doctor continued.
"We need blood tests and close monitoring. Depending on the results, we may need to deliver your baby earlier than planned."
I stared at her.
"Deliver?"
She nodded gently.
"Possibly."
I looked at Marcus.
He was trying to stay calm.
But I could see the fear in his eyes.
I whispered, "She's not ready."
The doctor touched my shoulder.
"Our priority is keeping both of you safe."
I started crying.
Marcus kissed my forehead.
"I'm right here."
Then the fetal monitor changed.
A nurse looked toward the screen.
Her expression tightened.
The doctor stepped closer.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
I stared at their faces.
"What's wrong?"
The doctor adjusted the monitor.
Then she said something that made my heart stop.
"We're seeing a change in your baby's heart rate."
Marcus gripped my hand.
May you like
I felt the room spinning.
And for the first time, I understood how close we might be to losing everything.
