Chapter 3 - THE EMERGENCY ROOM

Claire drove straight to St. Matthew’s Hospital.

Daniel called seven times.

She didn’t answer.

Margaret called twice.

Claire blocked her number.

By the time they reached the emergency department, Lily was curled against Claire, holding her stomach.

A nurse rushed them back after Claire explained the pain.

Dr. Naomi Reyes examined Lily carefully.

“How long has your tummy been hurting?”

Lily shrugged.

“A lot of days.”

Claire felt sick.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Lily looked embarrassed.

“I thought I was bad.”

Claire’s heart cracked.

“Why would you think that?”

“Grandma said my tummy hurts because I’m greedy.”

Dr. Reyes stopped writing.

She looked at Claire.

Claire saw the change in the doctor’s expression immediately.

Professional.

Careful.

Concerned.

“Mrs. Bell, could I speak with Lily alone for a few minutes?”

Claire hesitated.

Then nodded.

“I’ll be right outside, okay, sweetheart?”

Lily grabbed her hand.

“You’ll come back?”

“Always.”

Claire kissed her forehead and stepped into the hallway.

She leaned against the wall.

Her phone buzzed again.

DANIEL.

This time she answered.

“What?”

“Where are you?”

“The hospital.”

Silence.

“What happened?”

“Her stomach hurts.”

“She probably ate too fast.”

Claire shut her eyes.

“Do you hear yourself?”

“Claire, I’m trying to calm you down.”

“I don’t need you to calm me down.”

“What did you tell them?”

“The truth.”

Daniel’s voice changed.

“What does that mean?”

“It means I told them your mother restricts her food.”

“You made it sound worse than it is.”

Claire laughed bitterly.

“You don’t even know what I said.”

“Mom is freaking out.”

“Good.”

“She thinks you’re going to call child services.”

“I didn’t.”

“Okay.”

“But the doctor might.”

Daniel stopped talking.

Claire lowered her voice.

“You’re worried.”

“Of course I’m worried.”

“Not about Lily.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“You’re worried about your mother.”

“Claire—”

The exam-room door opened.

Dr. Reyes stepped out.

“I need to speak with you.”

Claire ended the call.

“What is it?”

The doctor’s face was serious.

“Lily has signs of chronic constipation and mild dehydration. Nothing immediately life-threatening, but I’m concerned about what she told me.”

Claire’s knees weakened.

“What did she say?”

“I can’t give you every detail because I want her to feel safe speaking honestly. But she says food has been withheld as punishment multiple times.”

Claire swallowed.

“How many?”

“Enough that she’s afraid to ask adults when she’s hungry.”

Claire covered her mouth.

Dr. Reyes continued gently.

“She also described being weighed regularly.”

“Weighed?”

“Every Monday morning.”

Claire stared.

“I never knew.”

“She says your mother-in-law writes the number in a notebook.”

Claire felt ice spread through her body.

“What notebook?”

Before the doctor could answer, Claire’s phone buzzed.

A text from Daniel.

PLEASE COME HOME BEFORE YOU DO SOMETHING WE CAN’T FIX.

Claire stared at those words.

Then another message appeared.

MOM THREW THE NOTEBOOK AWAY.

Claire’s head snapped up.

“How did he know about the notebook?” Dr. Reyes asked.

Claire didn’t answer.

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