Chapter 3

Rosina blocked the midwife, her arms crossed as if she owned the place. The midwife, clearly frazzled, tried to reason with her.

"Mrs. Fairclough, because of the baby's risks, we had to do an emergency C-section..."

"What?" Rosina's voice shot up, shrill and full of disbelief. "A C-section? No, no, no—natural birth makes smarter kids! Who authorized this? You better call your director right now!"

I hadn't realized just how ignorant Rosina could be. It churned my stomach. But I had no interest in getting dragged into her nonsense. I was done. I was so done.

I just wanted to leave—forget all of this, get home, and start the process of divorcing Nelson. Cut ties with these toxic people for good.

I started walking away, but of course, Rosina spotted me and rushed into my path.

"Did you do the C-section on my daughter-in-law?" she demanded.

I took a deep breath and responded coolly, "Yes, the procedure was done with the patient and her family's consent. If you've got a problem, take it up with your son."

She stared at me like I'd slapped her. Then she snapped. "How dare you talk to me like that? Do you even know who I am? You're just a doctor! Who do you think you are?"

At that moment, the midwife, realizing this was her chance, hurriedly wheeled the baby to the elevator. But Rosina, too busy yelling at me, missed it.

Furious, she spun back to me. "You're the reason my grandson was born early! What kind of monster are you? You're ruining his future, aren't you?"

A few bystanders who'd gathered outside the operating room couldn't stay quiet any longer.

"Are you serious? The doctor saved your grandson's life!"

"Exactly! Your son and daughter-in-law both signed off on the surgery! Stop blaming the doctor for doing her job!"

Someone discreetly pulled out their phone, recording the scene.

Rosina, unbothered, fired back. "Mind your own business! If it's not the doctor's fault, then whose is it? My grandson wasn't due for another two months! It's all because of this quack!"

"You're heartless!" an elderly woman spoke up sharply.

The situation spiraled fast. In a wild burst of anger, Rosina suddenly swung her fist at the elderly woman.

I reacted instantly, stepping between them to block the punch. "Madam, if you don't stop, I'll call security."

"You wouldn't dare!" Rosina screamed, her voice completely unhinged. "Go ahead and try!"

I shielded the elderly woman, urging her to step back for safety, but in the chaos, Rosina shoved me hard. I stumbled, completely off balance, and crashed to the ground with a sickening thud.

A sharp pain shot through my lower abdomen, and my vision blurred for a second.

A couple of bystanders rushed to help me up.

"Doctor, are you okay?"

I couldn't stand without support, clutching my stomach, but Rosina wasn't done playing the victim. She yelled like I was the one at fault.

"Stop pretending! I barely touched you!"

The pain was unbearable, but I couldn't waste my energy arguing with her. I pressed a hand to my stomach, trying to hold myself together.

That's when I felt it—a warm trickle running down my leg.

My stomach sank. No...

Just then, Nelson appeared, pushing Olivia's hospital bed out of the OR. He stopped short when he saw his mother.

"Mom? What are you doing here?"

Rosina, emboldened by her son's presence, quickly spun her version of events. "Your assistant told me Olivia was having the baby here! Nelson, tell me—did this quack doctor trick you into a C-section? Why didn't you consult me first? These hospitals are always scamming people into paying for unnecessary surgeries!"

Several staff members had clearly had enough.

"Stop accusing us without any proof!"

"The patient's water broke! We had no choice but to perform the surgery!"

Rosina didn't back down, hands on her hips, practically seething with anger. "And why did her water break, huh? You think I'm stupid? Don't try to fool me!"

That was it. I couldn't hold it in anymore.

Summoning every bit of strength left in me, I shot back, my voice cold as ice. "Your son and daughter-in-law caused this mess by having sex during her pregnancy!"