I burst into tears.
A doctor soon came in and explained what had happened. The blow had caused trauma that triggered placental complications and early labor. Less than an hour after I arrived, they had performed an emergency C-section to deliver the baby.
Liam weighed just over four pounds.
He was small but stable.
I had bruising across my abdomen, a mild concussion from collapsing, and dangerously high blood pressure.
The doctor’s tone changed when she asked if I could explain exactly what had happened at the baby shower. When I told her my mother had struck me with a metal rod, she said the police were already waiting to speak with me. Guests had given statements and security footage from the café had been saved.
That was the moment it truly sank in.
This wasn’t just family conflict.
It was assault.
Two police officers interviewed Ryan first, then me. Jessica and several other guests had already told their stories. Someone had recorded part of the confrontation on a phone, including my mother yelling that the donation money belonged to her. The café’s cameras had also captured everything.
My mother hadn’t stayed to help.