Liz Trenchard is an experienced pediatrician with a duty to protect all children admitted to her busy emergency room. When Jess Curtis, an affluent, stay-at-home mother, turns up at the ER one night with her baby girl, she immediately prompts suspicion. The ten-month-old has a blow to the head her mother doesn’t seem to have noticed, and Jess has a story that doesn’t stack up. Meanwhile, Liz is riddled with doubt as she confronts secrets held by her mother, whose neglect not only led to a childhood tragedy involving her brother but raises questions about another baby Liz half-remembers from thirty-five years ago.

You think you have the perfect family. But everything can be broken. Liz and Jess have been friends for ten years, ever since they both started a family. But how well do they really know each other? When Jess arrives at hospital with a story that doesn't add up, Liz is the doctor on call. Jess has devoted her life to family and home. But she is holding so many secrets. As the truth begins to emerge, Liz is forced to question everything she thought she knew: about Jess, and about herself. When something feels so personal, how do you stay professional?

"In this novel, a doctor is faced with an ethical dilemma when her friend's child lands in the emergency room"--

"Liz and Jess have been friends for ten years, ever since they both started a family. But how well do they really know each other? When Jess arrives at Emergency with her baby girl and a story that doesn't add up, Liz is the doctor on call. Jess has devoted her life to family and home. But she is hiding so many secrets. As the truth begins to emerge, Liz is forced to question everything she thought she knew: about Jess, and about herself ..."--Publisher