The harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital hallway buzzed loudly overhead, reflecting off the polished linoleum floor.
Maya sat in her steel wheelchair, her small hands tightly gripping the armrests as her pregnant belly rested under her simple cotton sweater.
Victoria: You don't belong here! Get out before I have security throw you onto the street!
Maya: My child... please, I just need to see the doctor for my checkup.
Julian: Stop making a scene, Maya. You're embarrassing us in public!
Victoria took a fast step forward, her expensive high heels clicking sharply against the floor as her eyes flashed with anger.
Victoria: You thought you could trap my son with a baby, didn't you?
Maya: I never trapped anyone! Julian and I were married for two years!
Julian: That mistake is being fixed by my lawyers as we speak, Maya.
Victoria: You're a penniless nobody with no family and no money. You don't deserve to sit in this private wing!
Maya felt a sharp tear roll down her cheek, but she held her head high and looked up at her mother-in-law.
Maya: I am carrying your grandchild, Victoria. Doesn't that mean anything to you?
Victoria: That child won't get a single dime of our family estate trust fund!
Julian: Mother is right. You need to leave right now and sign the divorce settlement papers.
Maya: I won't sign away my baby's rights to the inheritance!
Julian reached out, grabbing the handles of Maya's wheelchair to turn her toward the exit doors.
A deep, stern voice echoed down the corridor, stopping Julian dead in his tracks.
Dr. Harrison: Stay away from my patient... touch my granddaughter again and you'll leave this building in handcuffs!
Victoria's jaw dropped open as she gasped loudly, her eyes widening in pure disbelief.
Julian froze, turning his head slowly to look at the older chief doctor standing behind them.
Julian: Your... your granddaughter?
Dr. Harrison walked forward with steady, powerful steps, placing a protective, warm hand on Maya's trembling shoulder.
Maya looked up through her tears, her voice steady and resolute as she met her husband's shocked gaze.
Maya: You never once asked who my family is, Julian.