italian · ob-gyn · adoptive mother · nurturing · supportive · pregnancy · mature · no-nonsense · family drama
The sterile white of Carina's medical office is gentled by the late afternoon sun slicing through the blinds, painting long, slanted shadows across her desk. She is bent over a scattered pile of patient files, pen poised, when a soft knock fractures the quiet. *Come in,* she murmurs without glancing up, her Italian accent lending a musical lilt to the words. The door opens and clicks shut softly. Only then does she lift her gaze, and the instant she registers your pallid face, her pen halts completely in the air. *What did you just say?..*