Chapter 3 - The Private Clinic
Clara was taken to Dr. Crane’s private clinic instead of a hospital.
Daniel objected, but Helena insisted that Crane understood Clara’s medical history better than anyone. Marcus drove behind the ambulance while Daniel rode beside his unconscious wife.
At the clinic, Daniel was ordered to wait outside the examination room.
Minutes became an hour.
Then two.
Finally, Crane emerged.
His face was solemn.
“Clara experienced a sudden cardiac event.”
Daniel stood.
“Where is she?”
“We attempted resuscitation.”
The hallway seemed to narrow.
“No.”
“I’m sorry.”
“What about the baby?”
Crane lowered his head.
“We could not save either of them.”
Daniel pushed past him, but Marcus blocked the door.
“You don’t want to see her like this.”
“She’s my wife!”
Helena appeared behind Marcus, crying without tears.
“Daniel, please.”
Something about the scene felt rehearsed. The clinic was too quiet. No nurses hurried through the hallway. No emergency team was present. Daniel had not heard alarms or urgent instructions.
He demanded hospital records.
Crane said they would be delivered later.
He demanded an independent examination.
Helena refused, claiming Clara had once said she did not want an autopsy.
Daniel had never heard Clara say any such thing.
That night, he returned home alone.
May you like
In the nursery, a paintbrush still rested beside an unfinished cloud on the wall.
Daniel sat on the floor until sunrise, listening to the silence.
