“I’m going to have to ask everyone to step out for a moment.”
The atmosphere in the room changed instantly.
At first, no one moved.
Diego let out a nervous chuckle, like a man trying to clear up a misunderstanding.
“Is there a problem?” he asked, squeezing Allison’s hand.
The doctor didn’t respond right away.
That was the first crack.
Because doctors, especially in places like this, where money could buy comfort and health insurance, always responded immediately when everything was fine.
But he didn’t.
She simply looked back at the screen.
Then at Allison.
Then at Diego.
And something in her expression stopped the entire room in its tracks.
“I need to speak with the patient privately,” she repeated, this time with a firmer tone.
Her mother frowned.
“Doctor, we’re a family,” she said, almost offended. We’re here to celebrate…
“That’s not a request,” the doctor interrupted gently.
That was the second crack.
It’s something that can’t be ignored.
Sofia’s smile was the first to fade.
Then the aunt holding the flowers slowly lowered them.
Diego hesitated.
For a brief moment, his eyes shone, not with worry, but with a more intense glow.
Fear.
Not for Allison.
Not for the baby.
For himself.
“All right,” he said finally, trying to maintain a calm tone. “We’ll go out.”
He leaned down and kissed Allison’s forehead.
“It’s probably nothing,” he murmured.
But his voice didn’t sound convincing.
Not even to him.
They all left slowly.
The door closed.
And the silence in the hallway was thick.
Heavy.
Awkward.
Five minutes passed.
Then, ten. No one spoke.
No one was laughing anymore.
The party had vanished, replaced by something cold and unfamiliar.
At the twelfth minute, the door opened.
The doctor left.
But she wasn’t smiling.
And Allison…
Allison wasn’t behind her.
