"What are you insinuating?” Lopez snapped.

The doctor understood what his offense was and quickly assured her he meant no harm. “No offense, madam. I was just trying to emphasize the position of the father of your baby in this matter. You can’t decide on your own because of the implications.”

Lopez's heart pounded as she grappled with the enormity of the situation. The doctor's words reverberated in her mind. “Pre-eclampsia, terminate the pregnancy, closely monitored, blood flow to the placenta.” It was all too much to take in at once.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the doctor's steady voice. "Mrs. West, I understand this is a lot to process....