Nina asked permission to document her answers and explained the hospital’s reporting procedures and the options for filing a police report.

She also described support for postpartum recovery, including mental health follow-up without treating Maya’s distress as evidence that she was incapable of being a mother.

When the conversation ended, Maya seemed relieved, but exhausted.

Nina left us with written resources and promised to coordinate discharge planning with the medical team.

Julian returned with a message from the building’s management.

A security employee had found evidence that the heat settings in our apartment had been deliberately turned down shortly before Eleanor’s departure.

There was no proof yet of intent to harm.