The night before I gave birth, I overheard my husband secretly offer the doctor $500,000 to make sure I died during delivery so he could start a new life with his five-month-pregnant mistress. I pretended to be asleep—but by the next day, his plan had completely backfired.

Part 3

The new doctor introduced herself at seven.

Dr. Priya Shah.

She was calm.

Direct.

She explained that my labor had started naturally overnight.

The contractions were becoming regular.

My daughter was ready whether I was emotionally prepared or not.

“I’m terrified.”

“That makes sense.”

“I don’t want to be sedated.”

“We will discuss every medication before giving it.”

“I want Laura in the room for any consent.”

Laura nodded.

Dr. Shah agreed.

“And Ethan?”

My brother raised his hand.

“I’m not watching anything below the shoulders.”

I laughed weakly.

Dr. Shah smiled.

“He can stay nearby.”

For the first time since hearing Daniel’s plan, the delivery room felt like a place where I might survive.

But my mind kept returning to Marcus Hale.

I needed to know.

Had he really intended to do it?

Had he agreed?

Was Daniel bluffing?

Was the conversation enough?

Laura would not speculate.