The Moment I Realized I Can't Lose You novel Chapter 72

"Is this the patient who needs the examination?" the younger man asked, pushing his dark-rimmed glasses up the bridge of his nose as he noticed Audrey's pale complexion.

His voice was oddly familiar.

Startled, Audrey looked up at him. The surgical mask covered most of his face, and she didn't recognize the eyes behind the frames. She didn't know him at all. So why did he sound so familiar?

"Yes," Joaquin replied, handing over a lab report from a few days ago. "I brought her in for a follow-up."

Dr. Westbrook took the file, scanning the numbers. "Elevated HCG levels..."

He looked up at Audrey in surprise. "Are you pregnant?"

All the color drained from Audrey's face. As much as she wanted to deny it, she knew there was no hiding it from a professional. Closing her eyes in defeat, she opened her mouth to speak. "I—"

"She's not pregnant." Before she could say another word, Joaquin cut in with a cold, detached tone. "We're always careful. Plus, she was on her period the day those labs were drawn."

A heavy silence fell over the corridor.

Audrey froze, wondering if she'd misheard. Snatching the report from the doctor's hands, she flipped to the final summary page.

[Patient exhibits abnormal HCG levels indicative of early-stage pregnancy. However, possibilities of endocrine disruption, malignant tumors, or localized cancers cannot be ruled out. Further testing required.]

Staring at the typed words, tears pricked her eyes. She had assumed the report explicitly stated she was pregnant and that was why he had rushed her here. She never expected this to be the conclusion.

"Alright," Dr. Westbrook said smoothly, ignoring the fact that she had just ripped the chart from his hands. "If the chances of pregnancy are low, then elevated HCG could indicate a risk of malignancy or cancer. It's smart that you brought her in for a full workup."

Stepping closer, he gently slipped the report back out of her fingers. "Mrs. Judd, I'm going to run a fresh panel of tests. Please follow me."

The sheer shock left Audrey feeling lightheaded. Nodding numbly, she followed the doctor into the examination room.

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