That evening in the staff room, she confided in her colleague, Marta. “If she shows any more signs of bruising—I’m calling it in,” Elise said. Marta nodded, silent. They both knew it was a promise most nurses make too late.
A month passed. The hospital moved through its usual rhythm of births, tears, and recoveries, and Elise almost convinced herself she’d overreacted. Maybe Daniel was a bit controlling, but not cruel. Maybe Olivia’s silence was just youth, and not fear.