I whispered that I was in labor, but my mom cared more about the clock than my life. Left alone, I fainted, bleeding. When they finally arrived at the hospital pretending concern, the truth surfaced—destroying their perfect facade and helping me step into a stronger, more empowered future. I knew I was in labor the moment the pain wrapped around my lower back like a tightening vise. It wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t loud. It was quiet, terrifying, and very real. We were in my parents’ living room in