The train attendant rushed over and knocked on the door. "Ma'am, are you alright? Please open up if everything's fine. We'll force the door open in one minute for your safety!"

I had no choice but to step out.

The moment I did, Kyle grabbed my arm and pulled me aside, his voice tight with frustration. "Why didn't you say something if you were fine, Sylvia? You nearly scared me to death!"

He was helping me back to my seat when a child suddenly bolted down the carriage. I felt Kyle's grip loosen intentionally.

The child slammed into me, sending me crashing to the floor. A sharp pain tore through my lower abdomen. My water broke, and my mind went blank.

I clung to Kyle's sleeve, gritting my teeth as I said, "I'm fine. Just help me get back to my seat."

But Kyle feigned panic and shouted, "Help! Someone help! Is there a doctor on board? My wife is about to give birth!"

Across the carriage, a man sprang to his feet and rushed over. "I'm a doctor! I'm coming!"

Relief washed over me—until, out of nowhere, the child suddenly collapsed.

A woman's wail tore through the air, her voice twice as loud as Kyle's. "Billy! What's wrong, Billy? Don't scare me!"

The train erupted into chaos.

The woman latched onto the doctor, sobbing. "Please check on Billy, doctor! What's happening to him?"

Fighting through the pain, I forced out the words. "My water broke, doctor. Can you please check on me first?"

I barely finished speaking when the woman wailed even louder. "Billy has a history of heart disease! What if that bump made it worse? You have to check on Billy first, doctor. His lips are turning blue!"

The other passengers hesitated, their eyes darting between Billy and me. I was pale, but at least I was still conscious. Billy was completely out, and his breathing was growing weaker.

They wasted no time dragging the doctor over to check on him.

"Why are you fighting a kid for the doctor?"

"You're about to be a mother. How can you be this coldhearted?"

I was still fighting it when Stella came over and exchanged a glance with Kyle. She made a quick decision, just like she did in my past life.

"I'm an OB-GYN! We have to perform an emergency C-section immediately, or the baby could suffocate!" she declared.

I refused immediately. "You can't operate on a moving train! I could get a serious infection if you perform a C-section—"

Stella cut me off sharply. "Who's the doctor here, you or me? It doesn't matter where we are. We have to save lives! Do you want to risk both your life and your baby's? This is your child. Are you going to stand by and let the baby die inside you?"

Kyle jumped in. "This is our first child, Sylvia. Trust the doctor. No matter what happens, I'll be right here with you!"

He and Stella were clearly in this together. There was no way I could trust him.

I turned to Stella and said, "You claim to be a doctor—prove it then. Where's your medical license? How can we be sure you're not lying if you won't even show it?"

A passenger who saw my repeated refusals stepped forward in support. "Yeah, that other doctor showed us his medical license before treating Billy. Show us yours if you want us to trust you to deliver this baby."

Stella's expression flickered, but she held her ground. "I-I'm on vacation! I don't have it with me. Who carries their medical license everywhere? But you can look me up. I'm a real medical school graduate. You shouldn't doubt me."

I was trying to buy some time, hoping the train would reach the next station before anything happened.

But Kyle picked up on what I was doing almost immediately. While everyone's attention was on Stella, he suddenly pressed hard against my stomach. The pain was blinding.

He seized the moment and shouted, "She's a med school graduate! How could that be fake? My wife is at her limit! Move aside and let the doctor deliver this baby!"

I couldn't let Stella near me. She stepped forward, but I shoved her back with everything I had left.

"Stay away from me!" I warned. "I'm not letting you deliver my baby! Just because you went to med school doesn't mean you're licensed! Which hospital are you working at? I'll call your director and verify it myself!"

Stella's face twisted in rage, and she bellowed, "Can you stop acting insane? The baby's life is more important! You and the baby could be in danger if we fail to get the C-section done in time!"

I didn't believe her for a second. My struggles only grew more violent.

"You won't tell me which hospital you work at because you don't even have a medical license. Isn't that right?" I yelled. "I'm not letting some fresh graduate without a license cut me open, especially not here, where nothing is sterile!

"If I die from an infection, who's going to answer for that? And I'm only eight months along! This baby isn't full-term, and a C-section isn't mandatory! I do not consent!"

Stella snorted and got to her feet. "You're not a doctor, so you don't know a thing. I can tell by looking at your belly—the cord is wrapped around the baby's neck. Wait any longer, and the baby's as good as gone.

"Since you won't believe me, then forget it! I'm done trying! Just sit tight until the next station and collect your stillborn!"

A fresh wave of cramping hit, and my vision darkened as the pain stole my breath.

Kyle acted desperate, looking as if he was just moments away from kneeling and begging Stella. He played the role of the devoted husband perfectly.

"Please, doctor! I'm begging you to do the surgery! My wife has always been difficult, and even now, she won't give in despite the unbearable pain. But as her husband, it's my duty to protect her and our child. Please, help her with the surgery!"

Only then did Stella pull out a liability waiver and say reluctantly, "Fine. Sign this. I'm not going to take the risk of her turning around and asking for compensation later."

If Kyle signed that waiver, he and Stella would wash their hands of any responsibility if things went wrong. I wasn't going to let him sign it like he did in my previous life.

By then, I was on the verge of blacking out from the repeated, subtle torment from Kyle and Stella. I could only stay conscious by biting the tip of my tongue.

"I'm not having surgery! Kyle doesn't get to speak for me!" I protested again.

But Kyle declared sternly, "I'm your husband. Our marriage is legally recognized. Even in a hospital, I'd be the one signing the consent form for a C-section. Of course, I have the right to make this decision. Stop being difficult!"

While everyone was distracted, he pressed down hard on my belly again, his expression dark with intent.

The pain was unbearable, and I could hardly breathe, my vision swimming in and out of focus. Just before I blacked out, I heard Kyle's excited cry.

"My wife's out! Do the C-section now!"