Chapter 4

The agony was excruciating. I clutched my abdomen, lacking the energy to dispute with her.

Abruptly, I felt a warm liquid running down my leg.

I stood motionless, paralyzed with fear. At that moment, Nelson emerged, wheeling Olivia's gurney out of the surgery room.

Spotting Rosina, Nelson inquired with astonishment, "Mom? Why are you here?"

Rosina, emboldened by her son's presence, began to distort the facts.

"Your assistant informed me Olivia was giving birth here! Nelson, tell me, did this incompetent doctor persuade you to agree to a cesarean? It was such a crucial choice, and you didn't even ask for my input! Hospitals like this always inflate risks to con people into costly procedures!"

Several staff members lost their cool and spoke out.

"How dare you make baseless accusations!"

"The patient's amniotic sac ruptured! We had no alternative but to perform the operation!"

Rosina, with her hands on her waist, retorted sharply.

"And what caused her water to break, huh? Don't try to deceive me!"

I couldn't bear to hear her nonsense any longer.

Mustering what little strength I had left, I countered, "Your son and his wife brought this on by engaging in intercourse during her pregnancy!"

Nelson stood still, unable to deny my claim. Rosina paused briefly before erupting in anger.

"That's false! My son would never do such a thing!"

A nurse approached to assist me.

"Dr. Fairclough, don't sink to her level. Let's get you out of here..."

But Rosina persisted. She seized my arm, attempting to prevent me from leaving.

"Wait right there! You think you can just walk away? You owe my grandson an explanation!"

A sharp pain shot through my midsection, and I felt perspiration on my brow. I realized something was seriously amiss.

I frantically broke free from her grasp, shoving her away. Rosina tumbled backward into the wall, grasping her lower back.

She immediately began to wail theatrically.

"Oh, my head! You've injured me!"

The nurse snapped at her. "You hit your back, not your head! Stop fabricating!"

Rosina whined, "I don't care! Apologize to me, or you'll face consequences!"

She turned to Nelson for support. "Your mother's being mistreated, and you're just standing there? Take action!"

Nelson, still harboring resentment towards me from the operating room, saw an opportunity to vent. He strode over, gesturing accusingly at me. "Apologize to my mother this instant!"

I clenched my teeth through the discomfort and whispered to the nurse, "I... I can't... My stomach is killing me. Please, get me out of here..."

The nurse attempted to guide me away, but Nelson roughly grabbed my arm.

"Where do you think you're going? You're not leaving until you say sorry!"

The nurse tried to intervene, only for Nelson to push her aside.

"Nelson! You'd better remember who I am!" I croaked hoarsely.