Chapter 3

The process was harrowing. The bleeding worsened at one point, and the baby nearly stopped breathing several times. Finally, a weak but unmistakable cry pierced the suffocating tension.

They made it. Almost immediately, urgent footsteps echoed from outside.

"Ambulance is here! Move! Clear the way!"

The stall door swung open, and professional paramedics and nurses quickly took over.

"You did well, doctor. Your intervention was timely. Thank you," one of the paramedics said quickly as they worked.

I sagged against the wall and let out a long breath. At least they were alive.

Serena and the baby were carefully lifted onto stretchers and wheeled out of the bathroom, the crowd trailing behind them.

I turned to head back to the medical office to bandage my arm when Lynn's voice rang out again. "Dr. Kirk! Serena's in this condition, and you're the father! Why aren't you getting in the ambulance with them?"

"What? Dr. Kirk is the father?"

"Oh my God! No wonder..."

"What a monster!"

The accusations and looks of disgust turned on me instantly. Even Mr. Lockwood stood frozen, his mouth hanging open.

My blood ran cold. "Lynn, defamation carries legal consequences. Are you sure about this?"

Lynn looked even more triumphant. "Who are you trying to scare?"

She whipped out her phone and started a livestream, shoving the camera in my face. "Everyone, look! This is the scumbag campus doctor, Dr. Murphy Kirk! He got a student pregnant and won't take responsibility! Share this! Get it trending! Make him famous!"

Within minutes, the accusations spread across social media. Posts calling me a predator and discussing the bathroom birth went viral.

The surrounding students fed off the frenzy. Their shouting grew louder. I simply watched it all unfold, expression cold.

Since becoming the campus doctor, I'd been nothing but diligent and professional. I'd never once crossed a line with any student. Apparently, that only gave them the courage to destroy me more boldly.

I smiled bitterly and walked away.

Let them rage. The harder they pushed this narrative now, the worse the backlash would be later.

The next day, police officers appeared at my door. "Dr. Kirk, you need to come with us for questioning. Please come with us to the hospital."

In the hospital room, Serena lay pale in the bed, looking away from me. Lynn stood beside her, shooting me a venomous glare.

I knew what was coming. I stayed silent, almost amused, content to play the observer.

The officer approached the bed. "Ms. Serena Anderson, is the campus doctor, Dr. Murphy Kirk, the father of your child?"

The room fell silent. Every eye was fixed on Serena's pale lips. Her lips trembled, and her gaze flicked nervously toward Lynn before dropping to her lap.

"Serena, don't be scared! The police are here. Tell them the truth! Did he assault you or not?" Lynn couldn't wait. Her voice was sharp, leading.

After a suffocating silence, Serena seemed to gather every ounce of strength she had left. Head bowed, she whispered, "Yes."

Lynn immediately pointed at me, shrieking. "Officers, you heard her! He raped a student! He deserves to rot!"

The reporters outside the room erupted, trying to push past the police barricade.

The lead officer's expression darkened completely. "Dr. Kirk, do you have anything to say?"

At that critical moment, I slowly reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone, my expression calm.

"Officer, before I provided medical assistance, I obtained Serena's consent to record our conversation for documentation purposes. This is the original, unedited recording."

I pressed play and turned the volume all the way up. The recording played. Serena's agonized moans and labored breathing filled the background.