Chapter 8 - the lower suite
Diane’s lower suite had no windows.
It had once been used as a secure conference room for visiting officials, but someone had added a bed, a medical monitor, and a cabinet filled with medication.
Olivia stood near the locked door while Doctor Rowe prepared an injection.
“What is that?”
“A mild sedative.”
“I don’t consent.”
Diane sat in an armchair.
“Your consent is no longer required under the emergency directive.”
“I didn’t sign it.”
“Ethan did.”
Olivia turned toward him.
Ethan stood beside the wall, avoiding her eyes.
“You gave them medical control?”
“It is temporary.”
“You promised you wouldn’t let her hurt the baby.”
“The medication is safe.”
Doctor Rowe did not look at him.
Olivia noticed.
“Is it?”
The doctor’s hands slowed.
Diane spoke sharply.
“Continue.”
Olivia backed away.
Ethan caught her arm.
She tried to pull free.
“Let go of me.”
“Stop fighting.”
“You’re helping them drug me.”
“I’m helping you survive.”
Doctor Rowe approached.
Olivia reached for a metal tray and knocked it to the floor. Instruments scattered across the carpet.
The sudden noise startled everyone.
She twisted away from Ethan and ran toward the door.
Diane pressed the security control.
The lock clicked.
Before Olivia could reach it, Ethan caught her around the waist. He did not strike her, but his grip was too tight and his panic made him careless.
Olivia cried out.
“Ethan, the baby!”
He released her immediately.
She stumbled against the side of the bed and lowered herself to the floor.
For a second, no one moved.
Then Olivia felt the baby kick.
Relief nearly made her sob.
Ethan knelt beside her.
“Are you hurt?”
“Don’t touch me.”
“I didn’t mean—”
“You never mean anything. You just obey.”
Diane watched them with cold impatience.
“Put her on the bed.”
Ethan stood.
“No.”
His mother looked at him.
“What did you say?”
“I said no.”
“You have already committed yourself.”
“I agreed to make her sign. I did not agree to this.”
“You agreed the moment you accepted your commission through my contacts.”
Ethan’s face hardened.
“I earned my commission.”
“You earned nothing without me.”
Doctor Rowe quietly placed the injection back in his case.
Diane noticed.
“Doctor.”
“I will not administer medication to a patient who refuses it without a clear medical emergency.”
Diane rose.
“You accepted payment.”
“For examinations, not imprisonment.”
She walked toward him.
“Leave your medical license on the table when you go.”
A heavy knock sounded above them.
Diane glanced toward the ceiling.
The estate intercom activated.
“Mrs. Cross,” a guard said. “General Vale has arrived for the award ceremony.”
Olivia’s heart leaped.
Diane looked at Ethan.
“She is early.”
“You invited her,” he said.
“Not for another hour.”
Diane turned toward the security monitor. Margaret’s car had stopped at the front entrance.
Margaret stepped out in full decorated uniform.
Colonel Beck followed her.
Dozens of guests and photographers were already gathering for the event.
Diane could not refuse her without creating a public scene.
“Move Olivia upstairs,” she ordered.
Ethan looked at the marks forming where he had gripped Olivia’s arm.
“She can’t appear like this.”
“Then cover her.”
Olivia understood Diane’s plan.
She would place her in bed, claim she had fallen, and keep Margaret at a distance until the ceremony ended.
Diane approached Olivia.
“You will tell your mother you fell in the shower.”
“No.”
Diane leaned closer.
“Then Ethan will tell her you became violent and endangered the child.”
Olivia looked at Ethan.
His silence returned.
Diane smiled.
“Take her upstairs.”
As Ethan helped Olivia stand, Noah appeared in the corridor beyond the door.
For one second, his eyes met hers.
He placed a hand against his chest and tapped twice.
May you like
The signal her father had taught her as a child.
Help is coming.
