At the maternity ward, my husband questioned why I was being discharged so soon—then federal agents suddenly walked through the door.

Chapter 1: The Illusion of Perfection

The sterile, unmistakable smell of the maternity ward—a mix of sharp antiseptic and the faint sweetness of baby lotion—had filled David’s world for the last fourteen hours.

He stood near the hospital cafeteria on the ground floor, gripping two steaming cups of bitter, terrible coffee. He didn’t care about the taste.continue reading …