“It suppresses the production of normal chorionic hormones in the bloodstream, preventing standard home pregnancy tests from detecting a fetus… while simultaneously inducing localized vascular spasms that typically result in a ‘silent,’ unexplainable miscarriage between weeks eight and twelve.”
Dr. Salinas turned back to Diego:
“Someone has been administering a classified, black-market chemical abortifacient to your wife for the past three months.”
“And the only reason this baby is still alive…”
Dr. Salinas pointed to the strong, pulsing red ribbon of the umbilical artery:
“…is because Laura’s body encapsulated the foreign pellet in a protective layer of fibrous tissue, walling it off from the placenta and saving her child’s life.”
Diego took two stumbling steps backward. His lower back struck the steel instrument tray behind him, sending a jar of stainless-steel speculums crashing to the floor with an ear-splitting, violent CLATTER.
Paula turned on her heels, lunging toward the exit door—
