“This is ridiculous. Claire exaggerates everything.”
Nobody reacted.
One of the officers stepped forward and handed my father another document.
General Bennett opened it without taking his eyes off Ryan.
“Doctor Melissa Warren’s report.”
He read calmly.
“‘Patient arrived with severe placental abruption, significant blood loss, and dangerously elevated blood pressure. Delay in treatment of approximately ninety minutes substantially increased the risk of maternal and fetal death.'”
Ryan’s smile disappeared.
“She… she’s okay, isn’t she?”
Another silence.
Finally my father answered.
“My daughter survived because strangers chose not to abandon her.”
Ryan looked toward the house.
“And… the baby?”
“The baby survived because surgeons were already standing inside the operating room when the ambulance arrived.”
Ryan released a shaky breath.
“Oh thank God.”
My father took one slow step closer.
“No.”
Ryan frowned.
“You don’t get to thank God after ignoring twelve calls from your wife.”
Inside the military hospital, I was finally awake.
Everything hurt.
The C-section incision burned.
My head pounded.
Machines beeped around me.
A tiny bassinet sat beside my bed.
Inside lay our daughter.
Emma.
Barely five pounds.
Wrapped in a white blanket.
She slept peacefully despite everything that had happened.
I reached out with trembling fingers and touched her tiny hand.
The nurse smiled.
“She’s been waiting for her mommy.”
Tears rolled down my cheeks.
“I almost didn’t meet her.”
“No,” the nurse whispered.
“But you did.”
A knock interrupted us.
My father entered quietly.
For a four-star general who had commanded thousands of soldiers, he suddenly looked like nothing more than a frightened father.
He crossed the room and kissed my forehead.
“I’m sorry.”
I looked at him.
“For what?”
“I believed your husband when he promised he’d protect you.”
I squeezed his hand.
“You couldn’t have known.”
His jaw tightened.
“I should have.”
