Chapter 3 - The Doctor’s Examination
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Twenty minutes later, Dr. Aris Harrison arrived through the back garden gate, carrying his black medical bag with the quiet efficiency of a man who had seen too many secrets in high society. Aris had been our family physician for twenty years; he knew my integrity, and he knew Victor’s dangerous facade.
He examined Sophia gently in the guest room, checking her vitals, inspecting the bruised skin across her cheekbone, and listening carefully to the steady, strong heartbeat of her unborn baby.
“The baby is resilient, Sophia. Heart rate is strong, and there’s no immediate sign of internal trauma,” Aris said softly, shining a small penlight into her eyes to check for concussion symptoms. “But you have severe exhaustion, dehydration, and multiple contusions. You need absolute rest.”
Sophia let out a long, shuddering breath, a tear slipping down her cheek. “He snapped, Aris. All because I questioned why he had unmarked crates delivered to our garage at three in the morning. He called me ungrateful. He said I was interfering with business.”
“It’s not business, darling. It’s a criminal enterprise,” I said, stepping forward to brush a strand of hair from her forehead.
Aris packed up his medical instruments and looked up at me, his expression grim. “Margaret, Victor isn’t just a crooked businessman anymore. The local precinct is practically his personal payroll. Chief Miller and half the detectives are on his retainer. If you’re keeping her here, you’re declaring open war against the entire municipal power structure.”
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“Good,” I replied coldly, walking Aris toward the door. “Let them come to my porch. I’ve spent thirty years putting monsters behind bars. I’m not about to let one terrorize my bloodline inside my own home.”
Aris pressed my hand firmly before stepping out into the cool night air. “Be careful, Margaret. Men like Victor don't go down quietly. They burn everything around them when they realize they're trapped.”
