without Richard’s permission. Elizabeth, Sarah said with a serious expression. Richard’s away on a business trip, right? That’s your best chance. Take Olivia to the hospital. As a mother, that’s your right and duty. That afternoon, Elizabeth called Olivia’s school and had her dismissed early, citing illness.
Mom, what’s going on? Olivia looked surprised to see Elizabeth waiting at the school’s main entrance. “We’re going to the doctor,” Elizabeth said with determination. Olivia anxiously looked around. “But Dad, Dad’s on a business trip.” “And your health comes first.” Something flickered in Olivia’s eyes for a moment, but quickly disappeared.
She nodded silently and got into her mother’s car. Elizabeth drove not to the local hospital, but to St. Joseph Medical Center in the next town. She wanted to avoid the risk of being seen by Richard’s acquaintances. Her hands trembled slightly as she presented her insurance card at the reception. Miss Brown, what are your symptoms? Dr.
Nancy Chen, a young female physician, asked Olivia kindly. Olivia looked at her mother. Mom, I’d like to talk to the doctor alone. Elizabeth flinched momentarily. Pain that her daughter was trying to exclude her and anxiety that there was something she couldn’t say squeezed her heart. However, she understood the importance of respecting her daughter’s wishes. Of course, Elizabeth smiled.
I’ll wait outside. Alone in the waiting room, Elizabeth couldn’t calm her racing heart. Various possibilities crossed her mind about what Olivia might be telling the doctor and why she couldn’t speak in front of her mother. Drugs, alcohol, or she tried to push away the frightening possibilities that came to mind.
45 minutes later, the examination room door opened. Dr. NY’s expression was stern, and Olivia’s eyes were red as if she had been crying. Mrs. Brown, Dr. Nancy addressed Elizabeth. I need to speak with you. Your daughter needs some tests. I’d like to conduct several tests today if that’s all right with you. Elizabeth couldn’t hide her distress. Tests.
What kind of tests? Blood tests. End. The doctor paused a moment as if choosing her words. An ultrasound. Ultrasound. An ominous feeling spread through Elizabeth’s chest. Is it something serious? Dr. Nancy maintained her professional expression. I can’t say anything until we see the test results. We’ll have the results by tomorrow.
Could you come back tomorrow evening? Elizabeth looked at Olivia. Her daughter was staring at the floor silently crying. Of course, Elizabeth answered. Whatever my daughter needs. A heavy silence hung between them in the car on the way home after the tests. Elizabeth tried to speak several times but couldn’t find the words.
Mom Olivia suddenly spoke. Her voice was trembling. I’m scared. Elizabeth pulled the car to the shoulder for a moment. Then she hugged her daughter tightly. It’s all right, Olivia. Whatever happens, I’m here for you. We’ll get through this together. Olivia sobbed in her mother’s arms. As Elizabeth rubbed her daughter’s back, she mentally prepared herself for whatever truth would be revealed tomorrow.
She was determined to be strong for her daughter, no matter how painful the truth might be. When they returned home, Olivia immediately shut herself in her room. As Elizabeth prepared dinner, she thought about how they needed to go to the hospital and return before Richard came back tomorrow. The next afternoon, Elizabeth ended her last counseling session at Albert High School.
The clock showed 3:45. Richard will call at 5. I need to be back from the hospital and at home with Olivia by then, she thought anxiously as she grabbed her bag. Elizabeth Sarah stopped her. Are you okay? Elizabeth exhaled shallowly. I don’t know, but we’re about to find out the truth. Whatever happens, I’m here for you.
Sarah embraced her shoulder. Call if you need anything. I’ll come right away. Elizabeth nodded gratefully. Then she hurried to the parking lot. At the school’s main entrance, she saw Olivia already waiting. She looked even paler than yesterday, her shoulders slumped. Once in the car, Olivia stared silently out the window.
Elizabeth wanted to say something but couldn’t find the right words. Instead, she quietly started the car. When they arrived at the St. Joseph Medical Center parking lot, Elizabeth could hear Olivia’s breathing grow ragged. She parked the car and turned off the engine, but neither of them moved to get out. Olivia. Elizabeth turned quietly toward her daughter.
I don’t know what’s happening, but I promise you one thing. No matter what, I love you and I’ll protect you. We’ll get through this together.” Tears welled up in Olivia’s eyes. She opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. Instead, she just nodded slightly. Inside the hospital was bright white with the smell of disinfectant in the air.
After checking in, they were escorted to Dr. Nancy Chen’s office. The doctor stood up with a serious expression when she saw them. “Mrs. Brown, Mississippi, please sit down.” She indicated chairs on the other side of her desk. A strange tension hung in the examination room. Dr. Nancy stared at her computer screen in silence for a few seconds.
Then, after taking a deep breath, she turned to Olivia and Elizabeth. The test results are in. Dr. Nancy said quietly. Her voice had the typical calmness of a physician, but clear concern showed in her eyes. After looking at Olivia’s blood tests and ultrasound results together, she hesitated for a moment. In your stomach, Elizabeth’s heart began to race.
Time seemed to stop. Olivia is pregnant about 12 weeks along. The sound of blood rushing roared in Elizabeth’s ears. A cry escaped her lips, seeming to come from so far away she barely recognized it herself. No, that’s She couldn’t find words. Olivia covered her face with both hands, bent forward, and broke down crying.
Elizabeth automatically put her arms around her daughter, but she herself was trembling. I understand how you feel, Dr. Nancy said quietly. This is an extremely difficult situation. Olivia is only 15. In Elizabeth’s mind, countless questions whirled. How? When? And the most terrifying question, who? Who? Elizabeth forced out from the back of her throat.
Who did this to you? Olivia couldn’t answer, just kept crying. Dr. Nancy stood up and said quietly, “Let’s talk in another room. A nurse will stay with Olivia.” Elizabeth nodded vaguely. Though she didn’t want to leave Olivia, she understood the need to calm down. A nurse entered the examination room and gently placed her hand on Olivia’s shoulder.
Elizabeth stood up weakly and followed Dr. Nancy. Entering a small consultation room, the doctor closed the door and faced Elizabeth. First, take a deep breath, she said quietly. Elizabeth did as told, inhaling a shaky breath. In situations like this, there are various options, Dr. Nancy continued. There’s still time, but whatever choice you make, Olivia’s mental care takes priority.
Elizabeth finally found her voice. I don’t understand. She She hardly goes out. She didn’t have a boyfriend. just back and forth between school and home. Mrs. Brown, Dr. NY’s voice softened. In my conversation with Olivia, a very concerning situation has come to light. I’ve called in a social worker. She needs to talk with Olivia in more detail. Elizabeth’s blood ran cold.
A social worker? Why, Olivia’s situation? The doctor seemed to be choosing her words. May involve legal issues. Legal. Elizabeth repeated the word and suddenly a horrifying possibility arose in her mind. Was Olivia raped? Her voice trembled. Dr. Nancy didn’t answer directly. Social worker Tracy Williams has arrived.
After she speaks with Olivia, we’ll talk the three of us. Elizabeth was left in the consultation room with trembling legs. 10 minutes felt like an hour. In her mind, various terrifying possibilities appeared and disappeared. Thinking about the fear and loneliness Olivia might have experienced was heartbreaking.
The door was knocked on and a woman entered. She introduced herself with a calm expression. Mrs. Brown. I’m Tracy Williams. I’m a social worker with Child Protective Services. Olivia Elizabeth asked with a trembling voice. She’s with Dr. Nancy. She’s safe. Tracy encouraged her to sit down. Mrs. Brown, what I’m about to tell you is very difficult.
You’ll need your strength. Elizabeth nodded firmly. I spoke with Olivia. At first, she didn’t want to talk, but I explained that we needed to know the truth for her safety and to provide appropriate support, Tracy said quietly. Olivia says she has been sexually abused for about a year. For a year, Elizabeth’s expression showed disbelief. By whom? A teacher, a coach.
Tracy exhaled deeply. Your husband, Richard Brown. Elizabeth’s world collapsed. She shook her head violently. No, that’s that’s a lie. Richard is her father. He even adopted her. He wouldn’t do such a thing. Mrs. Brown, Tracy said quietly but firmly. In our experience, it’s very rare for children to lie about such serious allegations, especially when they can provide detailed explanations.
But Elizabeth’s voice was horsearo. Why didn’t Olivia tell me? Olivia did tell us. She was afraid of hurting you. She said Richard threatened that if she spoke, it would hurt her mother and that no one would believe her. Tracy’s voice was gentle. Furthermore, she herself didn’t want to break the family. Intense pain shot through Elizabeth’s chest.
