Chapter 2: The Secret Behind the Trust
The hospital lights were too bright.
That was the first thing I noticed.
Everything smelled like antiseptic and cold air.
I hated that I couldn’t feel my daughter moving.
I hated that every second felt like a question I couldn’t answer.
Ethan sat beside me, holding my hand.
“You’re not alone,” he whispered.
I stared at the ceiling.
“What if something happened because of me?””
His expression changed immediately.
“Emma, listen to me.””
He squeezed my hand.
“You protected her. You did everything a mother could do.””
A nurse entered with a doctor behind her.
The doctor’s expression was serious.
“Emma, we’ve completed the first round of examinations.””
My heart stopped.
“Is my baby okay?””
The doctor pulled a chair closer.
“Your daughter’s heartbeat is stable right now.””
A wave of relief almost broke me.
I covered my face and cried.
But the doctor didn’t leave.
“There are some things we need to discuss.””
Ethan sat straighter.
“What things?””
The doctor looked at the chart.
“Your daughter experienced stress from the impact. We also found something unusual during the examination.””
My fingers tightened around Ethan’s.
“What?””
The doctor hesitated.
“Your prenatal records show you were given several supplements recently.””
“Yes,” I said slowly.
“My mother recommended them. She said they were vitamins.””
The doctor looked at Ethan.
“Did you personally purchase them?””
“No.””
“Did you check the ingredients?””
Ethan’s face changed.
“No.””
The doctor placed the file down.
“The supplements contained ingredients that should not be taken during pregnancy without medical supervision.””
My stomach dropped.
“Are you saying someone poisoned me?””
The doctor shook her head.
“I’m saying someone gave you something that could have created complications.””
Ethan stood.
“Who had access to her?””
I didn’t answer immediately.
Because I already knew.
My family.
My mother had been cooking meals for me every weekend.
Claire had been visiting constantly.
They had both been telling me how excited they were to meet my baby.
But now every memory felt different.
A knock came at the door.
A police officer entered.
“Mrs. Carter?””
I looked up.
“Yes?””
“I need to ask you about what happened at your family’s home.””
Ethan stepped forward.
“Before anything else, there is video evidence.””
The officer nodded.
“We have already spoken to your cousin. He provided the recording.””
My chest tightened.
“Where is my family?””
The officer’s expression became uncomfortable.
“Your father attempted to take the phone from the teenager before we arrived.””
I closed my eyes.
Of course he did.
Then the officer continued.
“And your mother…”
He paused.
“What did she do?””
“She removed several documents from the house.””
My heartbeat increased.
“The inheritance papers.””
The officer looked surprised.
“You know about them?””
I laughed bitterly.
“That argument was why my sister attacked me.””
The officer opened his notebook.
“Your grandmother’s trust stated that the inheritance would become permanent once your child was born?””
I nodded.
“Yes.””
The room became quiet.
Ethan looked at me.
“Emma…”
I already understood.
If my daughter never arrived…
The trust would never transfer.
The officer looked at both of us.
“We found something else in your mother’s possession.””
“What?””
He slowly pulled out a photograph.
It was a picture of my grandmother’s trust documents.
But written across the corner was a handwritten note.
A note that made my blood run cold.
The officer placed it on the table.
“Do you recognize this handwriting?””
I looked down.
And the moment I saw the words, I knew someone in my family had planned this long before the argument.
May you like
The note said:
*“The baby cannot be born.””*
