Chapter 1 - The Woman by the Window
Simone stared at Leah for several seconds after ending the call.
The confident smile she had worn all afternoon vanished.
Leah lowered the cup of water in her hand.
“You’re not at a wellness retreat.”
Simone gave a dry laugh.
“No.”
“Does whoever you were talking to know you’re pregnant?”
Simone looked toward the closed hospital-room door.
“No.”
Leah expected an explanation.
None came.
Instead, Simone swung her legs carefully over the edge of the bed and lowered her voice.
“Word of advice.”
“Never assume the person arranging your medical care is doing it for your benefit.”
Leah’s stomach tightened.
“That sounds oddly specific.”
Simone glanced at her.
“So does your mother-in-law choosing your doctor, your hospital, and apparently half your life.”
Leah went still.
“How do you know Doreen chose this place?”
“You’ve mentioned her name about twelve times.”
“I have not.”
“You have.”
Simone smiled faintly.
“Mostly when you’re annoyed.”
Before Leah could answer, the door opened.
Nathan walked in carrying Leah’s half-packed hospital bag.
Doreen followed him.
Leah’s small moment of amusement disappeared immediately.
Doreen wore a pale gray suit and carried a leather folder beneath one arm.
She looked more prepared for a board meeting than a maternity visit.
“I brought the rest of your things,” Nathan said.
Leah looked at the bag.
“You forgot my phone charger.”
Nathan stopped.
“I thought it was already inside.”
“It wasn’t.”
Doreen stepped forward.
“You won’t need your phone very much.”
Leah turned toward her.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because you’re supposed to rest.”
Doreen placed the folder on the bedside table.
“Your anxiety has already become excessive.”
Leah felt Simone’s attention shift toward them.
“My anxiety?”
Doreen offered a patient smile.
“Dr. Rusk mentioned that you’ve been having disturbing dreams.”
Leah’s eyes snapped toward Nathan.
She had told only him.
Nathan avoided her gaze.
“You told your mother about my nightmare?”
“It came up.”
“How?”
“Leah, don’t start.”
Something cold moved through her chest.
Doreen opened the leather folder.
“I asked the clinic to make sure the maternity staff understand that you’ve been under considerable emotional strain.”
Leah stared at the papers.
“You spoke to my doctors about my mental health without asking me?”
“I spoke to people who care about your safety.”
Simone suddenly reached for her water.
The glass slipped from her hand.
It struck the floor and shattered.
Everyone turned.
“Oh, wow.”
Simone looked almost embarrassed.
“Pregnancy hands.”
A nurse hurried inside.
Doreen stepped back.
Simone caught Leah’s eye while the nurse cleaned the glass.
Then she subtly pointed toward the leather folder.
Leah understood.
Keep them distracted.
Nathan bent to move his shoes away from the broken glass.
Simone groaned dramatically and grabbed her stomach.
“Oh.”
The room froze.
“What?” the nurse asked.
Simone breathed through her teeth.
“Cramp.”
The nurse immediately moved toward her.
Nathan and Doreen looked away.
Leah reached toward the folder.
She lifted the top page.
Her pulse jumped.
PSYCHIATRIC OBSERVATION REQUEST.
Her name was printed beneath it.
Leah Carver.
She read the next line.
Patient displaying paranoia, emotional instability, fixation on infant safety.
Leah’s hands began to shake.
She had never been interviewed by a psychiatrist.
She had never described paranoid thoughts to a doctor.
Yet beneath the report was a handwritten note.
Family concerned patient may refuse safe discharge plan.
Leah lowered the page before anyone noticed.
Simone’s eyes met hers again.
This time there was no humor in them.
May you like
Only warning.
And Leah suddenly understood that the nightmare she had dismissed that morning might have been the least frightening thing waiting for her at Briar Glen.
