From the anxiety in Carter's tone and statement, Madeline could hear how much he wished Shirley and the child in Shirley's stomach to be fine. However, what he got was the doctor’s remorseful shake of his head.

“What’s your relation to the patient?” the doctor asked him.

Carter seemed to be stunned by the question.

Who was Shirley to him?

Was he her husband?

No.

However, she was pregnant with his child.

Her sweetheart?

Not even that.

He had never given her any promise as sweethearts wou