Chapter 14 - the woman in room 417
Three weeks later, Claire received a call at 2:17 in the morning.
She almost didn't answer.
Then she saw Elaine's name.
"Claire, I'm sorry to wake you."
Claire sat upright.
"What happened?"
"We have another patient."
"How bad?"
"Very."
Claire was already getting dressed.
By 2:45, she was at St. Catherine's.
The woman was in Room 417.
Her name was Jasmine Reed.
Twenty-four years old.
Thirty-four weeks pregnant.
Severe hypertension.
She had arrived by ambulance.
And somehow, her admission had been delayed.
Again.
Claire stood behind the glass as doctors rushed around the room.
For one terrifying second, she was no longer Claire Sterling.
She was the young woman lying in that bed two years earlier.
Her heart began pounding.
She gripped the railing.
Elaine noticed.
"Claire?"
"I'm fine."
"You don't have to stay."
Claire looked through the glass.
"Yes, I do."
The doctors stabilized Jasmine.
Her baby survived.
But only barely.
When the emergency passed, Claire entered the room.
Jasmine looked exhausted.
"You came?"
Claire nodded.
"I'm Claire."
"I know."
Jasmine gave a weak smile.
"My sister showed me your pavilion."
Claire sat beside her.
"How are you feeling?"
"Alive."
The answer hit Claire harder than expected.
Jasmine looked at her.
"They told me my paperwork wasn't complete."
Claire's face tightened.
"It was."
Jasmine frowned.
"What?"
"Your admission paperwork was complete."
Jasmine stared at her.
"Then why did they make me wait?"
Claire didn't answer immediately.
Because she didn't yet know the full truth.
And Claire had learned never to promise an answer before she had evidence.
"I'll find out."
Jasmine nodded.
"Thank you."
Claire stood.
At the doorway, Jasmine called after her.
"Ms. Sterling?"
Claire turned.
"I heard what happened to you."
Claire froze.
Jasmine continued.
"They said your husband gave your room to someone else."
Claire swallowed.
"Yes."
Jasmine looked at her.
"Then maybe that's why you understand."
Claire walked back to the bedside.
She took Jasmine's hand.
"Maybe."
Jasmine squeezed her fingers.
"But I don't want anyone else to have to understand it."
Claire nodded.
Neither woman spoke for several seconds.
May you like
Then Claire said,
"Neither do I."
