Doctor's Fee Incident 50

TWO DAYS LATER…

"MISS LAURA, please eat," the private nurse said softly while holding out a brown paper bag toward Laura.

The room was locked with metal bars, making it feel more like a prison cell. Laura sat inside, trapped in her own world.

The nurse set the bag down just outside the bars. "There are vitamins in here too. It’s everything you’ll need for the week," she added, speaking gently.

Laura didn’t respond. She sat on the bed, silent and not moving, her eyes fixed on the nurse, staring blankly.

"Miss Laura— please, you have to eat," the nurse begged, worried evident in her voice.

Laura finally nodded, her movements slow. She stood and walked toward the barred door. "How much are they paying you? Maybe—” she hesitated, “I can pay you double if— if you help me."

The nurse’s eyes darted nervously to the sides, looking left and then right. "Miss Laura—I’m Madam’s niece," she admitted in a low voice.

Laura’s face fell. She stepped back, pressing her hand against her mouth as if to stifle a sob. Her eyes turned to the window where she noticed that night had already fallen.

The nurse, still gripping the bars, leaned closer. "Miss Laura, you’re pregnant. You need to eat and take your vitamins," she reminded her again, her tone more pleading this time.

The nurse’s kindness was evident in how she spoke and acted, though it was clear she felt helpless. She was caught between her compassion and her loyalty to Alorica Nievez.

"Nurse, please help me," Laura said, her voice breaking with desperation.

The nurse gripped the bars tighter at Laura’s words but remained silent.

"Do you know— Doctor Tuason?" Laura asked cautiously with her voice trembling.

The nurse hesitated, her expression conflicted. She looked at Laura who appeared weak and exhausted. Her sunken cheeks, dark circles under her eyes, and frail frame told the story of days spent without proper food and rest.

"You’re not as bad as they are, are you?" Laura’s voice cracked as tears welled up in her eyes. She extended her hand toward the nurse, a silent plea for help.

But the nurse backed away slightly, her face full of guilt and uncertainty.

"Please, have mercy on me. I can’t go on like this," Laura begged, tears now streaming down her face.

Finally, the nurse spoke. "I… I know Doctor Tuason, Miss Laura. He’s helped with our campaigns and charity work. Why? Why are you looking for him?" she asked, her voice hesitant. "Do you know him?"

A faint smile flickered across Laura’s face as she nodded.

The nurse stepped closer to the bars again, her hands gripping them tightly. "Doctor Tuason is a good man—kind and generous. Why, Miss Laura? Do you know him?" she asked again, her eyes wide with curiosity.

Laura nodded quickly, her expression more hopeful now.

"But…" The nurse hesitated, her gaze shifting nervously. "But I haven’t seen him in a while. He’s no longer at South Medical." She spoke quickly, her voice rising with tension. "Do you really know him?"

Laura’s eyes filled with tears once more, and they spilled over, rolling down her cheeks. Her shoulders shook as she cried silently.

"Miss Laura? Is—" The nurse paused as realization dawned on her. "Is Doctor Tuason… the father of your baby?"

Laura didn’t answer. Her response came in the form of muffled sobs.

The nurse took a step back, her face pale. "Then… the child Madam plans to adopt… is— his?"

Laura could only cry harder, her emotions overwhelming her.

"Miss Laura… did you know you’re the third woman they’ve done this to?"

Laura’s head snapped up. "Third?" she whispered, her voice filled with disbelief.

The nurse nodded grimly. "Yes!”

"What happened to the others?" Laura’s voice shook with fear.

The nurse looked around, checking for any signs of listeners. She leaned closer to the bars and whispered, "They were never seen again, Miss Laura."

Laura’s legs gave out beneath her. She stumbled back to the bed and sat down, her body trembling.

"Miss Laura, you need to escape. Once the baby is born, they’ll—"

"They’ll what?" Laura cut in sharply. "Tell me— What will they do to me?"

The nurse hesitated, her expression pained.

Laura stood and gripped the bars. "Tell me! Please!" she begged, her voice cracking.

"They’ll kill you," the nurse whispered finally. "Just like the others."

Laura froze, her breath catching in her throat. She slowly sank to her knees. "Kill me? Why? Why would Paul let them do this to me?" she asked, her voice breaking.

"Miss Laura, they’re capable of anything," the nurse said quickly. "Madam Alorica is a powerful woman."

Silence fell between them, heavy and suffocating. The nurse sat outside the door, trying to comfort Laura with her presence.

The quiet was interrupted by a faint ringing sound.

"Cellphone…" Laura whispered, her ears catching the distant noise. "Do you have a phone?" Laura asked suddenly, her eyes lighting up with hope. "

To be continued…