Vanessa managed a faint smile, thinking it was reassurance. But Chloe’s expression shifted into something far darker. Without hesitation, she adjusted the oxygen mask on Vanessa’s face… and with a swift, deliberate motion, disconnected the tube from the main supply.
The soft hiss of oxygen vanished instantly. The silence that followed was suffocating.
At first, no one noticed. The doctor was busy searching for gloves, and a young assistant focused on a tablet. But Vanessa’s breathing became erratic. Her chest heaved violently. The monitor erupted into sharp, frantic beeps.
“I… can’t… breathe!” she gasped, clutching at the mask.
Chloe moved quickly, pretending to assist while hiding the disconnected tube behind her body.
“It’s just a strong contraction, doctor. She’s panicking—it’s normal,” she said smoothly.
“Give her more oxygen!” the doctor ordered, distracted.
Chloe leaned in again, her eyes cold and merciless.
“You really think you deserve to have his child?” she whispered. “You ruined my life. You don’t deserve a happy ending.”
Vanessa’s vision blurred. Her hands shook as she reached for the tubing, but Chloe subtly pushed her away. The fetal monitor began screaming.