Chapter 1 - The Hidden Diagnosis
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Daniel stared at the folded hospital document in his trembling hands, the edges of the paper crinkling under his tight grip. The Christmas lights from the living room cast a mocking, colorful glow over the stark medical terms printed in black ink. Emma had been diagnosed with severe preeclampsia. Her blood pressure was critically high, and the doctor’s notes indicated an immediate risk of seizures or a stroke. She was supposed to be admitted for emergency observation three days ago.
“Why didn't you tell me?” Daniel whispered to the empty room.
The silence of the house was deafening. He dropped the ultrasound picture onto the dresser and grabbed his car keys. His mind raced through their conversations over the past week. Emma had complained of headaches, but she blamed it on the stress of the holidays and his late hours at the office. She had rubbed her swollen ankles, claiming it was just normal pregnancy fatigue. She had lied to him.
He sprinted out the front door, the freezing December air biting at his face. The snow was falling heavily now, coating his driveway in a thick, treacherous layer of white. He threw himself into his SUV and slammed his foot on the gas. The tires spun for a frantic second before catching traction.
As he navigated the slick, dark streets toward the local hospital, his phone vibrated in the cup holder. He snatched it up, praying to see Emma’s name on the screen. Instead, it was Rachel.
“Daniel, are you on your way?” Rachel asked, her voice soft and fragile. “My dad is asking for you.”
“I can't right now, Rachel,” Daniel snapped, his eyes darting across the snowy road. “Emma is missing.”
“Missing?” Rachel’s tone shifted, a strange edge entering her voice. “What do you mean, missing? Did she find out?”
Daniel slammed on the brakes as a stray dog darted across the street, the SUV fishtailing wildly before coming to a halt.
“Find out about what?” Daniel demanded, his heart hammering against his ribs.
May you like
“Nothing,” Rachel said quickly. “Just… let me know when you find her.”
She hung up before he could ask another question.
