Chapter 4
My father’s eyes!
“Are
you
up and he nodded frantically.[]
immediately released my father and helped my mother up.
e?”
My mother handed the materials to my father.[]
“Hurry! Take the cord blood to save Emma!“]]
My father ran out with the cord blood. Once he was gone, my mother seemed to relax slightly before turning to me.[]
“Since you helped your sister after all, I’ll stitch you up properly.“[]
I looked at my mother’s attempt at sympathy and laughed bitterly.[]
“What you’re doing is criminal. You’ll all face karma for this.“[]
My mother jabbed the needle viciously into my flesh.]
Criminal? I’d like to see anyone try to arrest me for saving my own daughter. I gave you life!“]
The pain was making me delirious.[]
“I’ll make sure you all pay the price. You won’t save Emma anyway.”
Marcus tried to soothe me, gripping my hand.[]
“I know you’re upset about the baby, but he fulfilled his purpose by saving your sister. Isn’t that meaningful?”
“We can have more children. I promise, once Emma’s saved, I’ll make it up to you.”
I looked at Marcus’s determined face and felt nauseated.]
“Emma won’t survive, because–“[]
Before I could finish, the operating room doors burst open.[]
“Nobody move! You’re all under arrest for illegal surgery. Come with us.”
Officer Ryan stood in the doorway with several other officers.
“Something felt off when you came out earlier. Why would a woman in labor keep trying to speak while being repeatedly silenced? Why were you forcing her forward? I called the hospital to check – there was no delivery scheduled for her today.”
Officer Ryan’s voice was stern as he looked at my mother and Marcus. When his gaze fell on me, everyone in the room drew in a sharp breath.[]
I lay there with my abdomen cut open without anesthesia, half my incision still exposed. The scene was a bloody nightmare that made everyone’s hearts stop.
“You’re her family – how could you do this to her?“]
Officer Ryan had to look away, only to see the baby’s lifeless body discarded on the floor. His anger exploded.[]
“What kind of monsters are you? That’s your own son and grandson!”
My mother continued stitching my wound, dismissive.
“You said it yourself – she’s my daughter. What law am I breaking by operating on my own child? The baby was already dead in her womb. That’s not
my fault.”
Marcus jumped in, afraid of being implicated.]
“My wife suddenly had complications. There were no doctors on duty, so my mother–in–law had to step in. The baby was already lifeless at birth – it was just a tragic accident.“]]
Marcus swore with his hand raised.]]
“Besides, I have a medical license,” my mother added. “This isn’t illegal practice. Marcus signed the consent form as Sarah’s family member. What right do you have to burst in here and try to arrest us?”
My mother faced the officers with contempt, clearly believing they couldn’t touch her.[]
Officer Ryan’s expression darkened further.[]
“You people are completely inhuman.”
Just then, the hospital director arrived.[]
Dr.
“Dr. Lisa Chen, you’ve gone too far! Performing surgery without assistance or anesthesia violates every hospital protocol. You’re fired, effective immediately.”
My mother still showed no remorse.
“She’s my own daughter! What’s wrong with me operating on her? What grounds do you have to fire me?“]
“You brought me to the operating table without my consent, forced a C–section to harvest my baby’s cord blood for your daughter with leukemia. Every single thing you’ve done is monstrous.”
I turned my head with difficulty to look at my mother and Marcus, each word taking immense effort.
My mother’s response was another slap across my face.
“Shut up! I gave you life – if I wanted to take it back, you should give it willingly!“]
Everyone who witnessed this was stunned, their eyes reddening with emotion.]
“Get them out of here! We can’t let them delay the patient’s proper treatment any longer,” Officer Ryan ordered.[]
The officers handcuffed my mother and Marcus, dragging them from the operating room.
Several properly gowned surgeons rushed in to take over, completing my sutures and performing a thorough examination.]
As I watched the righteous medical staff and police officers maintaining order, I finally let myself drift into unconsciousness.
When I woke up, I was in a hospital room that smelled strongly of disinfectant.[]
“Poor thing. I heard it took twelve doctors working for over twelve hours to save her life.“]
“How could her parents and husband be so cruel? Her mother even nearly left surgical instruments inside her during that botched operation.“[]
I heard nurses talking nearby and instinctively reached for my stomach.]
It was flat now. Empty.
