nder and antiseptic. It was quiet, the kind

ly paper of the exam tab

as sharp as her needles, sna

he door, arms cr

g for?" Eveline ask

ber tourniquet around Eveline's upper arm. "

gnancy

her arm back. "I hav

, Section C: The beneficiary must maintain 'optimal physical health' to receive stipends. Refu

d it like

refuse the test, you lose the mo

. The fight dra

ood fill the vial. It looke

And then he's going to

" Dr. Aris

ultrasound gel hit her lowe

see the screen. She didn't want to see the tiny

and around in silenc

e doctor

topped. "What? Is

n Eveline's arms stand up. The doctor's professional mask was back in place instantly, but the shift had been th

ed. Wait i

ush waiting room chair, her leg bouncing nervously. She Googled

the doo

't hand her the official-looking folder from the doctor's desk, but a single, cr

stood up

er the single

nned the numbers frantically unt

mI

ati

the number. She

The missed perio

pregnant?" s

d. "Stress can cause simila

ul her knees buckled. She wasn't pregnant. S

was washed away by a

hen,

ad no leverage. And worse-Ful

nstairs," Vance

e had survived the medical check. But now