Betty wasn't deaf; she heard Nina's sobs clearly. But she did nothing, calmly finishing her breakfast with an expression of complete indifference.
"I'm sorry for how I acted earlier. I really need your help," Nina said, pulling herself together, wiping her tears, and looking up.
"Is the baby the result of r**e?" Betty asked bluntly.
"No, it's my husband's. He stopped using protection without my consent."
"How old is he? Any family history of genetic disorders?"
"He's thirty-two. No family history."
"In the past three months, have you smoked, drunk excessively, used drugs, or contracted any STDs?"
"No."
"So the baby is healthy? Have you had a prenatal checkup?"
"I had one. Everything was normal..." Nina's eyes began to fill with tears again under Betty's relentless questioning.
"A
