“Amelia? Can you hear me?"
Light buzzed overhead. Dr. Patel's face edged into focus.
“You fainted," the doctor said. “We moved you to the consult room for a moment."
Amelia sat up too fast. “Emma." She grabbed the doorframe. “Please—I need to be with my daughter."
Dr. Patel steadied her. “I'll take you."
They hurried down the corridor. The ICU doors sighed open; Pod B waited with the hush of a chapel. Amelia pressed her palm to the glass and looked inside.
The bed was made. The pillow smooth. The unicorn blanket gone.
A sound scraped out of her. “Where is she? Did you move her without me?"
The charge nurse glanced up, expression flattening into policy. “Can I help you?"
“Emma Thorn," Amelia said, each syllable steady. “Seven years old. You admitted her tonight. I held her here. Wh
