“No way.” Cali was already adamantly shaking her head before he’d even finished speaking. “I’m not leaving my home again. I’ve told you, all of you, repeatedly. I won’t go.”

I pulled her into a hug. “Cali, I know you’re afraid of what’s outside of the property gates, but your life is at risk from this.”

“I don’t care!” She clutched at me, her entire body trembling. “You can take care of the baby. I trust you to raise her right. But I’m not leaving this house, no matter what he says.”

I didn’t want to upset her more than she already was, so I simply soothed her until she calmed down. It wasn’t exactly surprising that she’d developed agoraphobia, considering everything she’d been put through, but her fear of the outside world was going to put her and my niece in danger.

Once she was no longer shaking, I sat back and gave her a small smile. “I don’t want you to worry. We’ll figure everything out, okay?”

“I knew you wouldn’t let me down, Nova. I-I’d be lost without you.” She shot the doctor a cold glare. “No more talking about hospitals and leaving this house. If you can’t do what I need, I’ll find a different doctor.”

I gave her one more hug then turned to face the doctor. “I’ll walk you out, Dr. Ortega.”

He gathered his bags, leaving the ultrasound machine where it was. With how often he’d needed to use it for Cali, I’d bought one just for us and planned on donating it to the clinic once Cali delivered. There had been more money than I’d expected in Cali’s inheritance, and I’d taken over investing it as well as running the business. I’d been helping my family run all of their businesses and shadowing Ryan every summer, so I had a little experience. But it sure as hell wasn’t easy.

I waited until we were walking down the stairs before either of us spoke again. “How dangerous is it for her not to be in a hospital?”

The doctor shook his head sadly. “Her womb is very weak. She could have a placental abruption at any time, and the risk will only increase as the baby’s growth stretches everything. If that happens, her life, as well as the baby’s, will be at risk. She will need an emergency C-section, and while I could possibly do that at my clinic if it came down to it, I don’t have the equipment that will be needed if the baby is severely premature. If Cali is admitted to a hospital, should something happen, she will have immediate help.”

He paused at the bottom of the stairs and gently touched a hand to my arm. “She listens to you, Miss Nova. You must convince her that this is in the best interest of her and her child.”

Clenching my jaw, I nodded. “I’ll do whatever I need to ensure both of them are safe.”

“Then I leave her in your capable hands. If either of you needs anything, you have my number. I will be back on Friday to do another ultrasound.”