Chapter 5
Owen’s crying softened when Ethan held him.
Not stopped.
Only softened.
The baby’s tiny face was red from exhaustion, and his little fists opened and closed against the white blanket.
Ethan supported his head carefully, then turned back to Hannah.
“What happened?”
Patricia answered again.
“She’s making this into something ugly.”
Ethan did not look at her.
“Hannah.”
Hannah’s lips trembled.
“They took my phone.”
Courtney whispered, “That’s not—”
Ethan’s eyes moved to her.
Courtney stopped.
Hannah continued, voice barely audible.
“I asked to call the doctor. Owen wouldn’t settle. I felt wrong. My wrists hurt. I wanted to ask if this was normal.”
Patricia scoffed.
“Everything is an emergency to her.”
Hannah’s hand tightened around the bedding.
“Your mother said if I called, they’d think I wasn’t fit.”
The room went silent.
Ethan’s chest felt like it had been hollowed out.
He looked at Patricia.
“You said that?”
Patricia lifted her chin.
“I said she needed rest.”
Hannah whispered, “She said they could take my baby.”
Ethan’s expression changed completely.
Courtney looked down.
May you like
Patricia finally stopped smiling.
Read the full story 👉 Hannah’s fear was not only pain; Patricia had used motherhood itself as a threat.
