baby boy.”
The shock on her face was priceless, though it did little to improve my mood, I didn’t wait to see her reaction play out. Instead, 1 walked out of the restaurant, leaving her stunned and speechless, the cool night air hitting my face as left her and her schemes behind.
When I got home, I handed the SD card to Ratna, dropping it into her outstretched palm.
“Never do that again,” said, my tone sharp.
She looked at me, probably ready to ask how it went, but before she could speak, herphone! buzzed. At the same time, my own phone vibrated in my pocket.
She glanced at her screen, muttering under her breath, “Speak of the devil.”
Lirowned and pulled out my phone, my heart skipping a beat when I saw the name on the screen. It was my doctor filemd.
Stepping away from the conurbation, I answered the call.
“Dominic,” the doctor’s voice was calm but urgent. “Liana’s awake.”
The relief that coursed though he was indescribable. My laces nearly buckded as I leaned against the wall, my chest heaving
“He’sawake?” I repeated, needing to hear it again.
Il need to run a few tests, but lor’s stable for now.”
“Yes,” the doctor contioned. “We’ll
Tears pricked at the comers of my ■, but I quickly blinked them away. “Thank you,” I said, my voler thick with emotion.
Hanging up, I tumed to faina, who was watching me with a mix of curiosity and concer
“Liam’s awake,” I said simply, my voice soft but filled with overwhelming gratitude.
Her eyes widened, and for the first time in a long while, I saw pare, unfiltered relief ontier face.
Without another word, we both moved toward the door, our unspoken understanding guiding us. Liam needed us, and nothing else mattered.
2
25
ALEXANDER
Liam waking up was unexpected–a miracle wrapped in fragile hope Relief and panic tangled in my chest as I grabbed my car keys and bolted. I’d just retired to bed when Dominic’s call came through, his voice urgent but steady. At first, I thought it was about the project, but the moment he said Liam’s name, everything else blued into insignificance,
The drive to the hospital felt endless, my thoughts a mess of guilt and desperation. The Image of Liam’s time frame, hooked up to machines, flashed in my mind, followed by the sound of his voice–a voice I hadn’t heard in years. My hands gripped the wheel tightly, knuckles white. How did we get here? How did I let it get this car?
When I amved, I sprinted through the sterile halls, ignoring the curious glances from nurses and visitors. My breath caught when I entered Liam’s room. There, by his bedside, was Raina, her shoulders shaking as sobs wracked her body. She looked so small, so broken, clutching Liam’s hand as if it were her lifeline
My heart clenched painfully. This was my ta
And then I saw Lam
was my fault. All of it.
The boy was frail, his pale skin a stark contrast to the colorful blanket draped over him. His eyes fluttered open, and when they landed on me, they lit up with recognition
“Dad,” he croaked, his voice weak but filled with so much love it shattered me.
froze, my legs rooted to the spot. Liam reached out a trembling hand, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m sorry for being a bad child.”
I felt my lungs collapse. My chest tightened painfully as his words echoed in my head had child? How could he ever think that?
I moved instinctively, crossing the room in a few long strides and kneeling by his bedside. My hands hovered over him, unsure of how to touch him without breaking him. “No, Liam,” 1 choked out, my voice barely audible. “You’ve never been bad. Never.”
He smiled weakly, but his eyelids drooped, exhaustion pulling at him. Before I could say more, the doctor stepped in, clipboard in hand, his expression serious yet hopeful.
“As soon as Liam was brought in, we began treatments to address his condition,” the doctor explained. “He’s been given doses of erythropoietin to stimulate red blood cell production, which has helped stabilize him. However, this is only the beginning”
Raina stood, wiping her tears hastily as she focused on the doctor’s words. I watched her, wanting to reach out but holding myself back She deserved her space.
The doctor continued, “Liam will need ongoing observation and care. Physically, we’ve made progress, but the psychological effects of prolonged illness and isolation will require attention. He’ll need therapy, support, and time to recover fully.”
Raina nodded, her voice steady despite the lingering tremer. “Do whatever it takes. Just make my son better”
Curson, I thought silently, my chest tightening at the word. He wasn’t just hers; he was ours
Tumed backto Liam, who was staring at me with wide eyes, as though afraid I’d disappear if he blinked. I wanted to reassure him, to promise that I’d never leave again, but the doctor interjected.
For now, Liam needs test, he said gently. “Too much stimulation could overwhelm him.”
I swallowed hard, nodding. Leaning in, I brushed a hand lightly over Liam’s hair. “We’ll be right here, buddy,” I whispered. “Always.”
As we left Liar’s room, the weight of everything pressed down on me like a suffocating blanket. My son our son had woken up, and the teller was
Inmeasurable. Yet the reality of the situation was undeniable: this wasn’t over Liam’s frailty, the doctor’s warnings, Raina’s tears–it was all a stark reminder of how much damage had already been done.
When I tumed to look at Raina, she was with Dominic, her face buried against his chest. Her shoulders trembled as silent sobs wracked her body. The sight hit me like a punch to the gut. I wanted to comfort her, to hold her and tell her that everything would be okay, but that wasn’t my place anymore.
Thesitated for a moment before walking toward them. My voice was low, cautious. “Raina, can we tall?”
Dominic’s head snapped up, his expression cold and unyielding. “Leave her alone, Alex “His voice carried a sharp edge, one that made it clear he wasn’t in the mood to compromise
1clenched my jaw, resisting the urge to argue. For all my laws, I could see when moment wasn’t mine to take. Haina didn’t even glance at me, her locus entirely
Dominic, who guided her away with a protective arm around her.
