Twelve Red Lights, One Big Red Flag

Her eyes flickered hesitantly before she reluctantly climbed onto the emergency bed. Even as she lay there, Madeline clung tightly to my sleeve, pleading with me not to leave her side.

I followed as the medical staff wheeled her toward the elevator. Then, out of nowhere, she cried out, "Matt, I don't like them being in the elevator with us. Can you have them wait upstairs for us?"

I narrowed my eyes, uncertain. "Madeline, that doesn't seem appropriate."

She quickly added, her voice tinged with desperation, "Matt, I'm a middle-aged woman about to give birth. It's embarrassing... Please, just this once, I'm begging you."

Her words made me frown, but I reluctantly agreed.

Once the elevator doors opened, I pushed the bed inside. Five seconds later, we arrived on the upper floor, where the waiting doctors immediately took over. They briskly wheeled the emergency bed toward the operating room, leaving me standing at the threshold.

This time, everything should go smoothly, I told myself. She wouldn't have a reason to accuse me. I hadn't even touched her—how could she fabricate anything this time? Still, unease gnawed at my thoughts.

Soon after, Lily arrived, her strikingly beautiful face marred by anxiety. "Matt, is my mom okay?" she asked breathlessly.

I studied her for two seconds, then shook my head slightly. "She should be fine."

Two hours passed before the surgeon emerged from the operating room. His expression was grim as he shook his head and sighed. "The baby couldn't be saved. The patient's age was a critical factor, and I'm afraid she won't be able to conceive again."

Lily's face lit up with disbelief. She took two hurried steps toward me, her delicate features hardening. Before I could react, her hand shot out, slapping me hard across the right cheek.

"Matt!" she shouted, her voice trembling with fury. "Didn't you say my mom would be fine? How could she lose the baby?"

I touched my stinging cheek, my confusion and anger intertwining, leaving me restless and agitated. How could I have known she'd lose the baby again? I had made every preparation, ensured everything was flawless. How could this happen?

Moments later, her mother was wheeled out of the operating room, a pallor on her face, her hand tethered to IV lines. Her gaze found me, and in an instant, her eyes widened with rage. She pointed a trembling finger at me, her voice trembling with hatred.

"It was him! He's the one who killed my baby!"

That familiar accusation. The same actions, the same venomous glare.

The scene dragged me violently back to my past life, where I had stood in the same hospital, stunned and disbelieving. Back then, I couldn't fathom why my future mother-in-law, who had always favored me, would suddenly turn against me like this. Nor could I understand why Lily, the woman I loved, would believe her over me.

Chaos swirled in my mind as a familiar panic bubbled up inside me. Where had I gone wrong this time?

Lily's bloodshot eyes bore into me as she hurled furious accusations. "Say something! What did you do to cause my mom to miscarry? Did you push her?"

I frowned, my head throbbing from the pressure. "Lily, calm down."

But my words fell on deaf ears. Her hand flew again, slapping me hard across the other cheek. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she choked out, "My mom treated you so well, and this is how you repay her? Why would you push her into losing the baby?"