Chapter 1

The moment those words left my mouth, the pregnant student's roommate, Lynn Farris, couldn't wait to curse me out.

"A life is at stake, and you say something like that? Are you even human? You're the only doctor on campus. Who else are we supposed to ask if not you?"

That familiar face burned with familiar fury. In my previous life, it was this very face that dragged me into a maelstrom of public opinion.

"You're right, but I'm just a campus doctor." I pointed to the medical license hanging on the wall. "My scope of practice covers basic medical care and emergency first aid, not obstetrics. Handling a high-risk birth without authorization isn't just illegal—it's irresponsible."

Lynn's face flushed red with anger. "Those are all just excuses for refusing to save someone! You're the only one here. If you won't save her, who will?"

She spun around to face the growing crowd. "Everyone, look! This is our campus doctor! A cold-blooded monster! He's going to watch a fellow student and her baby die!"

Several students, swayed by her words, chimed in.

"She's right. How can you do this, doctor?"

"Just save her first and worry about the rest later."

The crowd began to close in, the pressure mounting. I pulled out my phone and dialed 911 in front of everyone and put it on speaker.

"Hello, this is Westlake University, girls' dormitory, third floor. A female student is in active labor in the bathroom. The situation is critical. We need an ambulance immediately for an obstetric emergency."

After hanging up, I looked at the crowd. "I've called for an ambulance. What we should be doing now is keeping the area ventilated and preparing clean towels and hot water, not standing here creating more chaos."

But Lynn wouldn't let it go. She grabbed my wrist. "By the time the ambulance gets here, it'll be too late! Why won't you do something now? Are you scared?"

I shook her off, my voice going cold. "If you truly care about your roommate, you should be preparing hot water and clean towels right now and dispersing these onlookers, not wasting time trying to guilt me into something dangerous."

My gaze swept across the room. "Any unprofessional intervention could kill them both. Which of you has experience delivering babies? Who's willing to take responsibility when something goes wrong?"

The crowd that was so noisy just moments ago fell quiet. No one dared to speak up.

"I've done everything within my authority." I looked at Lynn. "Standing here blocking the way is only delaying the professionals who can actually help."

Lynn stood there speechless, her face flushing and paling.

Just then, another student's panicked voice rang out from the bathroom. "Serena's bleeding! There's so much blood!"

Everyone's faces went pale. Lynn whipped around to glare at me. "Are you still going to refuse to save her now?"

The smell of blood mixed with screams, cutting through the air.

"She's dying! The bleeding won't stop!"

At that moment, Dean Harrison Lockwood suddenly rushed upstairs. "Dr. Kirk! What are you standing there for? Get in there and help her!"

I clenched my fists and spoke through gritted teeth. "Sir, I called 911. High-risk delivery is beyond my scope of practice."