The Wilson family’s white two-story house stood quietly in the lush suburban neighborhood of Boston. November morning had arrived, with fallen leaves accumulating in the front yard, signaling the end of autumn and the coming of winter. Deborah stood by the window, resting both hands on her heavily pregnant belly as she took slow, deep breaths.
For her, this pregnancy was a miracle after seven years of fertility treatments. After numerous failures and moments of despair, this baby was conceived just when she had nearly given up hope. Every morning, Deborah offered prayers of gratitude for this precious life.
Mom, look at my science project! Lily’s cheerful voice echoed from the living room. Deborah slowly descended the stairs and gazed at the solar system model her eight-year-old daughter proudly displayed. The project, with its accurate planetary placement and proportional sizes, reflected Lily’s delicate sensibility and intellectual curiosity.
It’s wonderful, Lily! You’ve really paid attention to every detail, Deborah smiled, gently stroking her daughter’s brown curls. Lily looked pleased that her mother had praised her work. She excelled in school, with teachers recognizing her particular talents in science and art.
She had a vivid imagination and occasionally surprised people with her mature behavior. Are you going to show it to dad? Will he be home late? At Lily’s question, Deborah’s expression clouded momentarily. Her husband Michael worked as a sales manager at a medical equipment manufacturer and had become increasingly busy lately.
He traveled frequently, spending less and less time at home. Dad said he has an important meeting with clients, so he’ll be late today. But you can definitely show him tomorrow morning, Deborah spoke gently to her daughter, those small worries swirled inside her.
Michael had been noticeably tired lately, with family conversations becoming less frequent. Can you imagine making $10,000 a month just from YouTube all from home? That’s exactly what I did with Reddit Stories! No face, no voice! Check the link in the description if you’re curious. He seemed genuinely happy about the birth of their second child, but there was something unsettled about him that concerned her.
Deborah herself had worked for years as a library curator but had taken leave on her doctor’s orders after entering the late stages of pregnancy. Being forced to rest at home was difficult for her active nature, but safely delivering the baby was her top priority. In the afternoon, Deborah prepared a light dinner for Lily while reviewing her pre-birth checklist.
One week until her due date. The hospital bag was almost ready, and the newborn clothes were washed and folded. They had already decided on the name Thomas, after Michael’s father.
The sound of the front door opening was followed by the patter of Lily’s feet rushing to greet someone. It seemed Michael had unexpectedly returned home early. Dad! Look at my solar system! Lily’s excited voice was followed by Michael’s tired laugh.
That’s amazing, Lily! You really have talent! Deborah emerged from the kitchen to welcome her husband. Michael’s face showed signs of fatigue, his tie was loosened, and his shirt collar was wrinkled. He approached his wife, smiling at her large belly, and gave her a light kiss.
The meeting ended earlier than expected. How are you feeling? I’m fine. My back hurts a little, but the doctor says that’s normal.
That night, after Lily had gone to bed, the couple relaxed in the living room watching television. Michael put his arm around Deborah’s shoulder and buried his face in her hair. Deborah, I’m truly happy I met you.
Deborah was slightly surprised by this sudden sentimental remark. Michael then began discussing plans for after the birth. His parents lived far away and would have difficulty visiting right after the delivery, and Deborah’s parents couldn’t travel long distances due to health reasons.
They concluded that their friend Carol would be their most reliable support. Late that night, Deborah suddenly woke to intense pain. Labor had begun, a full week before her due date.
Michael was scheduled to leave for a two-day business trip the next morning but quickly began preparing. I’ll call Carol, Deborah said, fighting through the pain. You should go on your trip.
This might take a while. Michael looked hesitant but eventually agreed to Deborah’s suggestion. Carol arrived promptly and would take Deborah to the hospital…
Before leaving, Lily, with half-sleepy eyes, said in a small voice, Mom, Dad, please come back soon with the baby. By the time they reached the hospital, the contractions were coming closer together. The delivery seemed to be progressing faster than expected.
Carol contacted the hospital and informed Michael of the situation. After intense pain and a long labor, Deborah gave birth to a healthy boy, Thomas Wilson. The tiny life breathed quietly in her exhausted arms.
A day after giving birth, Deborah lay quietly in her hospital bed. Postpartum fatigue and pain still lingered throughout her body, but the presence of little Thomas sleeping in the bassinet beside her provided comfort. Morning light streamed through the window, announcing the start of a new day.
The door was knocked on, and Michael entered with a bouquet of flowers. He had returned immediately from his business trip after receiving news of the birth and rushed to his wife and son. Deborah, you did so well.
He’s perfect. Michael gently picked up Thomas and gazed at him in admiration. However, Deborah sensed something odd about Michael’s behavior.
He seemed happy about his son, but he appeared restless, occasionally glancing toward the Michael hastily shook his head. No, nothing. I’m just waiting for a call from the office.
They’re still contacting me despite the situation. I’m sorry. His explanation was reasonable, but Deborah’s intuition told her otherwise.
Their conversation was interrupted by a nurse entering the room. She wore a name tag that read, Rachel, and began checking on Deborah’s condition with a bright smile. How are you feeling this morning, Mrs. Wilson? Has the pain subsided? Rachel checked Deborah’s blood pressure, giving Michael a friendly smile.
Michael merely nodded briefly to her before quickly averting his eyes. It’s a little better, thank you, Deborah replied. Rachel checked the fore and handed Deborah a pill.
This is a painkiller prescribed by the doctor. Please take it with water. After Deborah took the medication, Rachel nodded with satisfaction, made some notes, and left the room.
Michael followed, saying he needed to make a work call. Alone, Deborah was suddenly overcome with intense drowsiness. The painkiller seemed too strong.
She tried to resist, but her eyelids grew heavy, and soon she fell into a deep sleep. When she awoke, a different nurse was in the room, holding Thomas. Oh, you’re awake.
The baby was hungry, so I’ve been holding him. Deborah looked at the clock. It was past noon.
She had slept for four hours. A normal painkiller shouldn’t have made her sleep so long. The medication seems to have had a strong effect on me.
Deborah said, her head still foggy. Yes, Rachel noted that in your chart. We’ll adjust the dosage next time, the nurse said, handing the baby to Deborah.
That afternoon, Deborah felt another change in her condition. This time it was sudden nausea and heart palpitations. She pressed the nurse call button, and Rachel appeared immediately.
What’s wrong? I feel sick, and my heart is beating fast. Rachel took her blood pressure again and placed a hand on her forehead. You might have a slight fever.
Temporary fevers after childbirth aren’t uncommon. I’ll adjust the medication in your four. She changed the four bag and made another note about Deborah’s condition.
As Rachel left the room, Deborah saw her take out a mobile phone and send a message to someone. In the evening, Carol brought Lily to visit. Lily’s eyes sparkled when she first saw her little brother.
Mom, Thomas is so tiny. Deborah gently embraced her daughter and kissed her hair. Yes, he is.
But he’ll grow bigger and bigger. I hope he becomes as smart as you. Carol looked at Deborah with concern.
You look pale. Are you all right? Deborah told her about the changes in her condition and how the medication seemed too strong. Carol frowned….
That’s strange. Shouldn’t you talk to your doctor about it? Just then, Rachel entered the room again. She showed an overly friendly attitude toward Lily.
Oh, you must be Lily. I’ve heard so much about you from your mother. What a smart girl you are.
Deborah was confused. She had never mentioned Lily to Rachel. Lily herself clearly felt uncomfortable and moved closer to her mother.
I don’t know this nurse, Lily whispered to Deborah. Rachel, seeming not to notice, said, It’s medication time, and offered another pill. Deborah eyed the pill suspiciously but didn’t want to cause a scene in front of Carol and Lily.
She took the pill and waited for Rachel to leave. Carol, don’t you think there’s something strange about that nurse? Carol agreed. Yes, it was unnatural that she knew Lily’s name.
Lily left the room briefly, saying she wanted to get some water. When she returned, her expression was dark, as if she wanted to say something. When Carol excused herself to buy some food from the cafeteria, leaving Deborah and Lily alone, Lily approached her mother’s bed and said in a low voice.
Mom, I’ve seen that nurse before with Dad. Deborah’s heart jumped. What do you mean? Two weeks ago, Dad picked me up from school and took me for ice cream.
I saw Dad and that woman talking at an outside table. They both looked serious. Deborah was speechless.
Michael had said he would be working late that day. Lily had no reason to lie. That evening, after Michael’s brief visit, Deborah heard him leave the room.
However, he didn’t immediately walk away down the hallway. Instead, she heard Michael talking quietly with someone in the corridor. She couldn’t make out what was said, but it was definitely a woman’s voice.
That night, Deborah couldn’t sleep. Anxiety and doubt occupied her mind. The next morning, Deborah gazed at the sunlight streaming through the window, nursing her restless thoughts.
She had awakened several times during the night and hadn’t slept well. In the bassinet next to her, Thomas breathed peacefully. Feeling the fragility and preciousness of this small life, Deborah reflected on what Lily had told her yesterday.
I saw Dad with that nurse. Suspicions about Michael were eating away at her heart. She had sensed changes in his attitude before the birth, but she never imagined he might be involved with another woman, especially one who was her nurse.
Deborah felt a headache coming on. The morning vital check was performed by a different nurse. She explained that Rachel would be on duty in the afternoon and check Deborah’s condition before leaving.
The 4 was still running, but the painkiller dosage seemed to have been reduced, as Deborah’s head felt clearer. In the morning, Deborah received a visit from her attending physician. The doctor seemed satisfied with her recovery but was concerned about the fever and nausea.
Let’s do another blood test, just to be safe. After the doctor left, Deborah picked up her mobile phone and hesitantly called Michael. He answered after the third ring…
