When hospital security quietly took their places near the consultation room entrance, Dr. Lucas Bennett felt that familiar heaviness settle in his chest — the same feeling he always had when something wasn’t right.

“Anything else?”

“No.”

Emma glanced up briefly.

Only for a moment.

But it was enough.

Lucas saw something in her eyes.

Uncertainty.

“Emma,” he said gently, “did someone give you something that made you feel sick?”

The girl didn’t answer.

Her eyes shifted toward her mother.

Laura stepped forward.

“That’s enough, doctor.”

At that moment, the door opened again.

The hospital social worker entered.

Maria Ortega.

Behind her stood one of the hospital security guards.

Laura turned sharply.

“What is this supposed to mean?”