Chapter 5 - The Line Between Life and DeathThe world dissolved into chaos.
"Get the crash cart! Prep two units of packed red blood cells and push epinephrine!" Dr. Lawson ordered, sprinting past us into the operating room without another word.
"Maya!" I screamed, pushing myself up off the floor, attempting to rush through the double doors, but the security guard caught me by the arms, holding me back.
"Ma'am, you can't go in there!" he yelled over the blaring alarm. "Let the medical team work!"
"That's my daughter! Let me go! MAYA!" I sobbed hysterically, struggling against his grip as the doors slammed shut, cutting off the horrific view of blood-stained towels and monitors flashing red warnings.
Robert stood frozen, his eyes wide, his face drained of all color. The triumph in his eyes from moments ago had vanished, replaced by a cold, sudden terror.
"Ruptured?" he whispered, his voice cracking. "They said... they said it could cause shock..."
I turned on him, pure, unadulterated hatred burning in my veins. I slapped him. The crack echoed through the empty hallway, hard enough to sting my own palm and leave a burning red mark across his cheek.
"This is your fault!" I screamed at him, stepping into his space as he stumbled back in shock. "You delayed her care! You made her suffer for months because you cared more about a few hundred dollars than her life! If she dies in that room, Robert, I will make sure you pay for every single drop of blood she lost!"
"Sarah... I didn't know—"
"Shut up!" I bellowed. "Don't you dare say you didn't know! You didn't care!"
Just then, two police officers walked briskly into the corridor, summoned by hospital administration due to the disturbance and the legal irregularities Robert had shouted about.
"Are you Sarah Thorne?" one of the officers asked, pulling out a notepad. "We received a call from hospital security regarding a dispute over legal guardianship and fraudulent medical documentation."
Robert looked at the officers, then looked at me. For a brief second, I saw a flicker of panic in his eyes. He realized that if the police investigated the forged adoption papers, it wouldn't just tear our family apart—it would tie up Maya’s medical authority in legal red tape while she was bleeding to death.
"Officer," Robert said, his voice shaking, stepping between me and the police. "There's... there's been a misunderstanding."
I stared at him, stunned.
"A misunderstanding?" the officer repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Sir, you reported an unauthorized medical procedure and illegal guardianship."
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Robert swallowed hard, looking at the closed doors of Operating Room 3. The high-pitched alarm inside was still faintly audible. He looked at my tear-streaked face, at the desperation in my eyes.
"I was wrong," Robert muttered, his voice barely audible. "She... she is the mother. I gave consent. Please... just let them save my daughter."
