The Twist No One Expected
The next day, the doctor called Carlo aside.
“There’s something else.”
Carlo’s pulse quickened.
“Some medication was given to her—hormonal medication. It should never be administered to a pregnant woman.”
Carlo’s face drained of color.
“Who gave it?”
The doctor replied quietly:
“It was given at home.”
Carlo knew before he asked.
He confronted his mother in the corridor.
“What medicine did you give her?”
Her silence answered first.
Then tears.
“I thought it was a tonic,” she cried. “A neighbor recommended it. She said it would give Mia strength to keep working. I didn’t know…”
Carlo closed his eyes.
“Ma… you cannot give medication to a pregnant woman without a doctor.”
“I only wanted the housework to continue,” she sobbed. “I forgot she was human.”
Mia’s mother overheard everything.
“My daughter nearly died three times,” she said, shaking. “And you call that a mistake?”
Mrs. Reyes bowed her head.
“If this went to court, I would accept punishment. But I truly did not know.”
Carlo answered firmly:
“Whether you knew or not—the damage is done.”
