Chapter 5

Ethan's voice was low and serious. "Laura, that's enough."

"So you want me to sign something that's not true?" I shot back.

"It's not about lying. Don't make a big deal out of something so small," Ethan replied.

"Small?" I echoed, disbelief in my voice.

"The baby's fine, and Rose was really shaken up. How about you both take a step back?" Ethan said.

I let out a bitter laugh. "Ethan, why don't you come to the hospital, take a look at my leg, and say that again?"

He paused for a few seconds. "I'm here with Rose for her checkup."

The voices outside the room got even louder.

Rose looked flustered for a moment and grabbed for the phone. "Don't put it on speaker."

I pulled my hand away. "What kind of checkup? Is she going to faint at the sight of blood or something?"

Ethan said, "She was really shaken up last night. The doctor said she needs to rest."

I set the phone down by the bed so everyone could hear. "I was bitten by a dog, I've been bleeding, and the baby's movements are abnormal.

"You're staying with her while she rests, making me apologize to her, and now you want me to sign a false statement?"

There was silence on the other end.

Dr. Stone cut in, "Mr. Lambert, if your grandfather were awake, you'd probably drive him straight back to the ER from anger alone."

Ethan's voice dropped. "Uncle Stone, this is a family matter."

"Your grandfather entrusted Laura to the Lambert Family when he was on his deathbed, not so you could throw her to the dogs," Dr. Stone shot back.

Rose snapped, "Don't twist things! Who's throwing anyone to the dogs? It was training!"

I looked at her. "Did the security cameras catch you telling someone to let go of the dog's leash?"

Her face went stiff.

A small sense of satisfaction washed over me.

A nurse at the door raised her hand. "The emergency hallway cameras are always on. Everything she said just now is recorded."

Rose spun around. "Are you recording me?"

The nurse took a step back. "Hospital rules say we have to record everything in rooms with disputes."

Ethan's voice came through the phone. "Rose, come back."

Rose grabbed her bag and shot me a glare before leaving. "Laura, you'll regret this."

I replied, "I'll be waiting."

As soon as she left, Dr. Stone closed the door.

He pulled out the document, glanced at it, and his face grew even darker than before.

"This is a waiver. If you sign it, everything you suffered today will be for nothing," he said.

I took it and ripped it in half.

My phone buzzed again.

A message from my brother popped up.

[The car's downstairs.]

[Don't be scared.]

I didn't get to see my brother.

Instead, Ethan's mother, Mrs. Lambert, showed up.

She walked in with two maids, a lawyer, and Rose following close behind.

Mrs. Lambert was dressed in an emerald dress, her fingers idly twisting a string of prayer beads. Her gaze immediately landed on my belly.

"Is the baby safe?" she asked.

"For now," I replied.

She let out a sigh of relief. "That's good. Laura, since the baby's safe, let's keep things quiet now."

I sat up. "Mom, do you know how I got hurt?"

"Ethan said you got emotional, hurt the dog, and ended up falling yourself," she replied.

Dr. Stone stood nearby. "Mrs. Lambert, those are bite marks on her leg."

Mrs. Lambert didn't even glance his way. "Dr. Stone, you're not exactly young anymore. Maybe your eyesight's not so sharp these days."

Dr. Stone, fuming, snapped open the first aid kit. "I've been a doctor for over thirty years. You really think I can't tell a dog bite from a fall?"

Rose hid behind Mrs. Lambert, whispering, "Please don't be mad, Mrs. Lambert. It's all on me, I shouldn't have pushed Laura to exercise."

Mrs. Lambert patted her hand. "You only meant well. If she doesn't appreciate it, that's her bad luck."

I shot back, "So being chased by the dog is supposed to be some kind of blessing?"