Chapter 3 - THE DELIVERY ROOM FINALLY STOPPED LISTENING TO PRESTON
Dr. Pierce did not argue with Preston.
She called security.
That humiliated him more.
“You’re serious?”
“Yes.”
“I work here.”
“Not on this case.”
“Elena needs me.”
Elena spoke from the bed.
“No.”
One word.
Preston looked at her.
She had never seen him look wounded by her before.
Angry.
Insulted.
Frustrated.
But not wounded.
“You want me gone?”
“Yes.”
Security escorted him into the hallway.
Khloe attempted to leave with him.
Dr. Pierce stopped her.
“Dr. Barnes, stay.”
Khloe’s face drained.
“Why?”
“You were present when the disagreement occurred.”
“I wasn’t involved.”
“Then staying should be simple.”
The anesthesia team stabilized Elena’s blood pressure.
Her epidural was adjusted based on her condition, not Preston’s demand.
Dr. Pierce examined her, reviewed the fetal tracing, and called the attending obstetrician covering the surgical suite.
Within minutes the conversation changed.
No morality.
No obedience.
No proving she could push.
Risk.
Progress.
Fetal position.
Elena’s condition.
Options.
Consent.
Dr. Pierce leaned close.
“Elena, I am recommending we move to cesarean now. I need to hear what you want.”
Elena started crying.
Not from fear.
Relief.
“Yes.”
“Say it clearly for me.”
“I want the C-section.”
“Okay.”
The baby was delivered safely.
Ten pounds, two ounces.
A boy.
Samuel.
Elena did not experience the cinematic instant of holding him against her chest while everyone cried beautifully.
She was exhausted.
Nauseated.
Shaking.
There were additional concerns after delivery that required treatment and monitoring.
Samuel went briefly to the nursery for observation.
Elena remembered asking whether he was breathing.
Someone said yes.
Then the room disappeared into fragments.
When she woke later, Preston was not beside her.
Dr. Pierce was.
“He’s okay,” she said immediately. “Samuel is okay.”
Elena began crying.
“And me?”
“You scared us.”
“What happened?”
Dr. Pierce explained carefully.
No melodrama.
No blame.
Elena had become unstable during labor and required urgent delivery and additional treatment afterward. She was improving now.
Then Elena asked:
“Where’s Preston?”
Dr. Pierce paused.
“Employee health and hospital administration are involved because of what happened before surgery.”
“He works here.”
“Yes.”
“Is he suspended?”
“I don’t know.”
Elena closed her eyes.
Then remembered.
“Khloe.”
Dr. Pierce’s expression changed.
“What about her?”
“She changed my delivery plan.”
“We don’t know that.”
“My chart said I canceled.”
“I know.”
“Who changed it?”
Dr. Pierce pulled a chair closer.
“That is being reviewed.”
May you like
Elena stared at the ceiling.
For the first time all day, nobody was telling her what the answer had to be before anyone looked.
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