Cassandra felt that familiar twist in her gut. She wasn’t ready for another heartbreak—not after Reggie. Without hesitation, she booked an appointment with Dr. Hanson, praying it was nothing serious.
Dr. Hanson shared her concern the moment he saw Cammie. He ran several tests, including an x-ray. As he studied the image, his expression darkened. Cassandra’s heart dropped.
Not again, she thought.
Dr. Hanson turned the x-ray toward Cassandra. Inside, several small round shapes were clearly visible in Cammie’s stomach. Cassandra stared, trying to make sense of it.
Dr. Hanson explained that Cammie had likely swallowed some tiny decorative items from her terrarium—things she never should have had access to.
Guilt washed over Cassandra. How had she missed something so obvious? In her joy over Cammie’s presence, she hadn’t thought about the danger those shiny pieces might pose.
Dr. Hanson said they could operate to remove them, but there were risks. Cassandra felt her chest tighten. Memories of Reggie flooded back. She wasn’t sure she could face another loss.
Despite her fear, Cassandra knew she had to do what was right for Cammie. She agreed to the surgery, and Dr. Hanson quickly began preparations. Handing Cammie over, Cassandra felt a wave of déjà vu.
Back home, the silence was overwhelming. As she waited for news, guilt crept in. She had welcomed Cammie into her home—but hadn’t made it safe. Now, all she could do was hope it wasn’t too late.