Dr. Samuel Thorne's stethoscope felt cold against Isabelle's chest as he listened to her breathing. I watched from across the room, held firmly in place by the two beta guards flanking me.
"Well?" Julian demanded, his voice tight with concern as he hovered protectively over the child.
Dr. Thorne straightened up, tucking the stethoscope into his pocket. "It's just a minor chill, nothing serious at present. However..." His expression grew grave as he turned to face Natalie. "Given her recent kidney transplant, we must be vigilant. Any infection could potentially compromise her immune system."
Natalie clutched her chest dramatically. "My poor baby. Do you hear that?" She whirled toward me, eyes blazing with manufactured outrage. "Your jealousy could have killed her!"
"I didn't push her," I insisted through gritted teeth. "She jumped in herself."
"LIAR!" Natalie shrieked, lunging toward me only to be held back by Julian's strong arm.
"Nat, please. Let me handle this."
