Not Is the baby okay?
Not You’ve been operating for hours.
Is she alive?
“Yes.”
Ethan breathed out.
Lauren took a seat.
He remained standing.
“She had major internal bleeding. We controlled it. The next twelve hours matter.”
Ethan sat opposite her.
“Thank you.”
Lauren looked at him.
He rubbed both hands over his face.
“Lauren, what you think—”
“Madison’s lipstick is on your shirt.”
He froze.
Lauren continued.
“Your wedding ring isn’t on your hand. You arrived in the ambulance bay holding her purse and shouting her first name before anyone had identified her. Six nights ago, someone sent me three photographs of you leaving the Langham at 11:42 p.m. with Madison wearing the same red coat you brought into my trauma bay tonight.”
Ethan lowered his eyes.
Lauren’s voice never changed.
“So don’t insult me by beginning with what I think.”
The waiting room went silent.
