Chapter 3

Janet's POV

Dr. Miller went berserk, charging into the nurses' station and tearing through the cabinets.

But they were empty.

Not even basic forceps or gauze.

"What about meds? Hemostatics? Uterine stimulants?"

The nurse whispered back, "Everything's been sent to the third floor."

"Mr. Martinez ordered all resources prioritized for Ms. Rachel."

Dr. Miller slammed his fist against the cabinet.

He turned to me, eyes bloodshot, lips trembling.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Mrs. Martinez."

"There's nothing I can do."

Ashley walked over and patted his shoulder.

"Dr. Miller, relax."

"Janet hasn't even delivered yet. Once Rachel's done, the equipment will be brought right back down."

I locked my eyes on her.

On the woman I'd treated like a little sister for three years.

Then, with every ounce of strength I had left, I forced out two words:

"You monster."

Ashley's face went cold.

She bent down, leaned in close to my ear, and dropped her voice to a whisper.

"Go ahead. Say whatever you want."

"I honestly don't know what my brother sees in you."

"The Martinez family's seat should've been Rachel's from the start."

Dr. Miller couldn't take it anymore.

"Miss Martinez! This is murder!"

"Murder?" Ashley let out a scoff. "Watch your mouth, Doctor."

"All I gave her was a little shot to delay things. Three hours, tops."

"And besides, this is Martinez family business. You're an outsider. Who do you think you are to interfere?"

She waved at the guards.

"Take Dr. Miller to get some rest."

"I'll personally look after Janet."

Two guards grabbed Dr. Miller by the arms and dragged him out.

He fought them, screaming over his shoulder:

"Mrs. Martinez! Don't give up! Your baby can still be saved!"

His voice faded into the distance.

I grabbed Ashley's clothes, begging her. "Please—please, save my baby. I don't want any inheritance. I just want my baby to be safe!"

"I'm the eldest daughter of the Rizzo family. I don't need to fight for some inheritance!"

Ashley shoved me off. "You'll say anything now, won't you? I'm telling you—impossible."

Then she closed the nurse's station door and turned to look at me.

She pulled out her phone and dialed a video call.She pulled out her phone and dialed a video call.

"Hey, bro. Janet's about to deliver. You want to see?"

Jason's face appeared on the screen.

He was outside the delivery room, with busy medical staff rushing around in the background.

"Janet, stop it."

"Rachel's condition isn't good. The fetal heart rate is dropping."

"You take care of things there. I can't leave right now."

The call ended.

Ashley shrugged and pocketed her phone.

"You heard him, right?"

"In my brother's heart, Rachel comes first."

"You? You're just a broodmare."

"And once a broodmare's done her job, she gets put out to pasture."

I closed my eyes and stopped looking at her.

My hand moved quietly behind my back, feeling for the lining of my dress.

Sewn into it was a button-sized device.

My father had given it to me.

He said, "Janet, the Martinez family runs deep. If anything ever goes wrong, press this."

Back then, I laughed at him for worrying too much.

"Dad, Jason treats me well. Everyone in the Martinez family treats me well."

Now, thinking back? I was a fool.

I used my fingernail to pry open the protective cap.

And pressed down gently.

No sound. No light.

But I knew the signal had been sent.

My father said that once I pressed that button, someone would come within half an hour.

But half an hour...

Could my baby hold on that long?