Chapter 5 - The Nurse Who Believed Her
That night, Leah barely slept.
Every sound in the hallway pulled her awake.
Every cart wheel sounded like someone coming for Eli.
Every time a nurse entered, Leah checked the badge.
Mae returned shortly after midnight.
She brought Eli from the nursery herself.
“I thought you’d sleep better with him beside you.”
Leah looked at the bassinet.
“He stays here.”
“That’s the plan.”
Mae checked Leah’s incision.
Then she closed the door.
“I found something.”
Leah’s exhaustion disappeared.
“What?”
“Your medication orders were changed.”
Leah stared at her.
“How?”
“A sedative was added.”
“Why?”
“The note says agitation.”
“I haven’t been agitated.”
“I know.”
Mae pulled a chair closer.
“The order was entered under Dr. Rusk’s account.”
Leah felt sick.
“Can she do that?”
“She can order medication.”
“That isn’t the strange part.”
Mae paused.
“The order was entered eleven minutes before your surgery ended.”
Leah looked at her.
“They were preparing to sedate me before I even woke up?”
“That’s what it looks like.”
Leah stared at Eli.
His tiny fist rested beside his cheek.
“Why would Nathan do this?”
Mae did not answer.
Leah looked toward her.
“He has to know.”
“I don’t know what he knows.”
“He lied about Simone.”
Mae’s eyebrows lifted.
“What about Simone?”
“They know each other.”
“I saw it.”
“Her phone showed a message.”
Mae leaned closer.
“Do you know what it said?”
“Only the beginning.”
“Don’t let Leah.”
Mae’s expression sharpened.
“That’s all?”
“Yes.”
Before Mae could respond, someone knocked.
Nathan entered carrying a small stuffed elephant.
“I thought you might be awake.”
Mae stood.
“I’ll give you a few minutes.”
Leah grabbed her wrist.
“No.”
Nathan noticed.
His face tightened.
“Seriously?”
Mae remained beside the bed.
Leah looked at Nathan.
“Where is your mother?”
“Home.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“What did you text Simone?”
Nathan’s jaw moved.
“We already discussed this.”
“No.”
“You avoided it.”
He put the stuffed elephant on the table.
“Leah, you just had surgery.”
“Stop telling me what happened to my body.”
“I know I had surgery.”
Nathan took a long breath.
“Your doctor thinks you’re under extreme psychological stress.”
“My doctor entered a psychiatric note before I arrived.”
Nathan froze.
Only briefly.
But Mae saw it too.
Leah’s voice became quieter.
“You knew.”
Nathan looked at Mae.
“This is a private family conversation.”
Mae did not move.
Leah stared at her husband.
“Nathan.”
“Did you know?”
He looked at the sleeping baby.
Then at Leah.
“I was trying to protect Eli.”
Leah’s blood ran cold.
“From whom?”
Nathan did not answer.
Outside the room, a woman’s voice suddenly spoke.
May you like
Doreen.
“From you.”
