Chapter 6 - Why Preston Wanted the Epidural Stopped
Preston later claimed he wanted the epidural reduced to improve Elena’s pushing.
That was not what he said before she entered the room.
Miriam’s tablet had captured a conversation between Preston and Khloe near the medication cart.
Khloe asked, “What if she refuses again?”
Preston answered, “Pain will make her cooperate.”
Khloe whispered, “And if the monitor worsens?”
“She’ll agree before that.”
The recording did not prove he intended permanent injury.
But it proved the pain was being used as leverage.
Preston believed Elena had humiliated Khloe.
He wanted his wife to admit she had overreacted, withdraw the complaint, and allow Khloe to remain in the department.
He had tied that personal demand to Elena’s medical care.
Khloe had promised that once Elena became frightened enough, she would sign a statement clearing the intern.
The plan depended on Elena being exhausted, medicated, and isolated.
But Khloe had another motive.
Six months earlier, she had caused a medication error that left a patient with temporary neurological damage.
The hospital did not connect the injury to her because she altered the electronic record.
Elena had begun asking questions.
If Elena delivered safely and recovered, she could expose everything.
Khloe needed her discredited.
A chaotic delivery would support the narrative that Elena was unstable and medically confused.
A severe complication might do even more.
When Miriam opened the medication drawer during the confrontation, she found the mismatched syringe.
The drug inside was not a standard epidural medication.
It was a strong uterine stimulant.
Given in the wrong dose, it could intensify contractions and fetal distress.
The label had been peeled from another syringe and attached to it.
Preston stared at Khloe.
“What did you give her?”
Khloe remained silent because any answer would expose her.
The second nurse checked Elena’s line.
The syringe connection showed signs of recent use.
Preston looked at the fetal monitor.
For the first time, he understood that Khloe might not have been following his plan.
She had built a second one inside it.
Elena watched him process the truth.
She did not feel vindicated.
She felt terrified.
The man she married had placed her in danger to punish her.
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The woman he protected had gone further.
And their son was still trapped between them.
