CHAPTER 4 — Denial
Reeves was already in the corridor, irritation cutting across his face.
“What now?”
Nora’s voice shook. “Doctor… her skin is warm.”
He stopped.
For one second, something flashed behind his glasses.
Not surprise.
Fear.
Then it vanished.
He stepped into the room sharply, turning his anger on her like a weapon.
“That is the most unprofessional thing I’ve ever heard.”
Nora flinched but did not back away.
“I checked her pulse.”
“You checked wrong.”
“I heard something.”
“You heard what you wanted to hear.”
Nora moved back to Madeline, panic rising through her chest. She pressed her fingers to the bride’s neck again, then grabbed the stethoscope and listened harder.
Madeline’s fingers twitched.
Just once.
Tiny.
But visible.
Nora’s eyes widened.
“She has a heartbeat!”
Reeves moved fast.
May you like
He came around the table, alarm barely hidden beneath his fury. He loomed over Nora, his face tight, one finger stabbing toward the door.
“Go home, Nora. Right now!”
