Chapter 3: The Person Outside
The door opened.
Andre's body instinctively shifted in front of Jasmine.
A man in dark hospital clothes stood outside.
He wasn't a doctor.
He wasn't security.
He wasn't anyone Andre recognized.
The man looked directly at Monica.
“Mrs. Hayes?””
Monica didn't answer.
Andre's eyes narrowed.
“Who are you?””
The man glanced at him.
“My name is Daniel.””
“Daniel what?””
“Daniel Reed.””
Monica's hand tightened around her phone.
Andre didn't move.
“What do you want?””
Daniel looked past him toward Jasmine.
“I need to speak with Monica.””
“No.””
Monica suddenly stepped forward.
“It's okay.””
Andre looked at her.
“No, it isn't.””
Daniel lowered his voice.
“I was told she would be here.””
“By who?””
Daniel hesitated.
Monica said, “Andre, please.””
He turned toward her.
“You know him.””
“No.””
Daniel looked at Monica.
“You told me he wouldn't be here.””
Andre felt something cold settle in his stomach.
“Who told you I wouldn't be here?””
Daniel realized his mistake.
Monica closed her eyes.
“Daniel…”
He stopped talking.
Andre stepped closer.
“You've got ten seconds.””
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
“I shouldn't be having this conversation here.””
“Then leave.””
Daniel glanced toward Jasmine.
“She was supposed to bring the paperwork.””
Andre's eyes dropped to the folded document on the counter.
Then back to him.
“What paperwork?””
Daniel didn't answer.
Andre pointed.
“That?””
Monica moved quickly and snatched the document.
“It's mine.””
Daniel's face changed.
“You still have it?””
Monica clutched it against her chest.
“Yes.””
“Monica,” Andre said slowly, “what is happening?””
She looked at him.
For the first time since they arrived at the hospital, she looked less like the composed woman he married and more like someone trapped inside a mistake she could no longer control.
“I didn't mean for Jasmine to find it.””
Andre froze.
“What did Jasmine find?””
Monica looked toward the bed.
Jasmine turned her face away.
Andre's voice hardened.
“Jasmine?””
The girl began crying.
“I found it in Mom's room.””
Monica whispered, “No.””
“I found the bottle too.””
“No.””
“You told me to hide it.””
Andre's face went pale.
“Hide what?””
Jasmine pulled the blanket higher.
“The paper.””
Andre looked at Monica.
“You told our daughter to hide medical records?””
Monica shook her head.
“I was trying to protect her.””
“From what?””
She didn't answer.
“From what, Monica?””
Daniel stepped backward.
“I shouldn't be here.””
Andre turned.
“Don't go.””
Daniel stopped.
“You know something.””
“I know enough to stay out of a family situation.””
Andre walked toward him.
“This stopped being a family situation when you walked into this room.””
Daniel stared at him.
Then he said quietly, “Ask your wife why she needed Jasmine to carry the bottle.””
Andre turned.
Monica's eyes closed.
“Daniel, please.””
“What bottle?”” Andre asked.
Daniel looked toward the counter.
“The one you found.””
Andre's mind raced.
“You knew about it.””
Daniel said nothing.
“You knew my wife had that bottle.””
Daniel rubbed his jaw.
“I knew she had medication.””
“What medication?””
Daniel looked at Monica.
“I think you should tell him.””
Monica shook her head.
“Not here.””
Andre laughed once, but there was no humor in it.
“Not here?””
He pointed around the bright examination room.
“Our daughter is in pain. Your prescription was hidden in her backpack. Some stranger walks in asking for paperwork. And you're telling me not here?””
Monica's eyes filled.
“I'm sorry.””
Andre stared at her.
“That's not an answer.””
“I know.””
“Then give me one.””
She opened her mouth.
Stopped.
Jasmine suddenly spoke.
“Dad?””
Andre turned.
“What?””
“There's something else.””
Monica's head snapped toward her.
“Jasmine, don't.””
The girl's hand slowly moved beneath her pillow.
She pulled out a second folded piece of paper.
Andre stared.
“Where did you get that?””
Jasmine looked at Monica.
“Mom put it there.””
Monica whispered, “No…”
Andre reached for the paper.
Monica lunged forward.
“DON'T!””
Andre stopped.
Everyone froze.
Tasha stared at Monica.
Daniel stared at Monica.
Jasmine began sobbing.
Andre slowly lowered his hand.
“Why?””
Monica's breathing became uneven.
“Because…”
Her voice broke.
She looked at Jasmine.
Then at Andre.
Then at the second document.
“I didn't want you to find out this way.””
Andre's jaw tightened.
“Find out what?””
Monica couldn't speak.
Daniel looked toward the hallway.
Then his phone buzzed.
He checked the screen.
His expression changed instantly.
Andre noticed.
“What is it?””
Daniel looked at Monica.
“It's already too late.””
Andre stepped closer.
“Too late for what?””
Daniel's phone buzzed again.
This time, he turned the screen toward Andre.
May you like
There was a single message.
*HE KNOWS ABOUT THE BOTTLE. GET JASMINE OUT NOW.*
