haven

Chapter 4 - The Whisper in the Pediatric Wing

================================================================================

“Two men in dark jackets,” I explained, my voice dropping as the memory rushed back. “I was hiding behind the angel statue trying to stay out of the wind. I saw Ethan running. He was crying, asking why the car left without him. The two men were walking behind him, telling him to stop. Then Ethan slipped on the ice and tumbled down the rocky embankment near the storm drain. The men looked down, saw him lying in the mud, and then they just... got into a grey van and drove away.”

Alexander’s hands gripped the arms of his chair so tightly the leather groaned.

He didn't speak for five full seconds. He closed his eyes, drawing a slow, lethal breath.

The penthouse double doors opened, and Dr. Marcus Cole, the Chief of Pediatric Medicine at Mount Sinai, stepped into the living room.

“Alexander,” Dr. Cole reported, taking off his glasses. “Ethan has received warm IV saline and his core temperature has normalized to ninety-eight point six. The ankle fracture has been set in a lightweight fiberglass cast. He is awake and demanding to see Lily.”

I stood up immediately, holding the heavy coat around my waist.

Alexander stood beside me, gently resting a hand on my shoulder. “Let’s go see our boy.”

We walked down the private corridor into the medical suite. Ethan was propped up in a large, comfortable bed under down comforters, holding a worn plush brown bear. When he saw me walk through the door, his pale face lit up with a brilliant, radiant smile.

“Lily!” Ethan cheered, reaching out with both arms.

I walked over to the bed, and Ethan threw his arms around my neck, hugging me with all his small strength. “You came! Dad didn't let you leave!”

“I’m here, Ethan,” I smiled, feeling a warm, joyful tear escape my eye.

Alexander walked to the bedside, kissing the top of Ethan’s forehead with deep, protective tenderness. “How are you feeling, champ?”

“My foot hurts a little, but Lily stayed with me when it was dark,” Ethan whispered, clutching my hand. “Dad... Uncle Victoria’s driver told me we were playing hide-and-seek. He told me to wait by the statue until he came back with ice cream.”

Alexander’s gaze turned to pure, unyielding steel.

May you like

“Victoria,” Alexander murmured in a voice cold enough to freeze water.

================================================================================

Related Stories

Other posts