“If the pain becomes severe, if you feel faint, or if you notice any signs of bleeding, go straight to the emergency room,” he continued. “Don’t wait.”

I nodded.

Afterward, Pearl and I returned to the waiting area while the pharmacy prepared my updated prescriptions. I stared down at the paperwork confirming my diagnosis.

Seeing the words in black and white made everything impossible to deny. For weeks, Gordon and Rita had treated my illness like an inconvenience. That very morning they had tried to talk me out of an urgent appointment so they could attend a luxury sale.

I told Pearl everything — the conversation in the kitchen, the way Rita had shoved my folder aside, Gordon insisting I move the appointment, the alarm on my phone, the fake emergency call, my promise to meet them at the register.

Pearl’s expression turned cold. “They’re still at the mall?”