Chapter 2 - THE LITTLE GIRL WHO CALLED HIM THE SAD MAN
The doctor arrived within twenty minutes.
By then, Damian had carried Elena to one of the private guest suites.
The room was larger than the apartment where she and Lily lived.
Elena lay against white pillows while Dr. Samuel Reeves examined her.
Damian waited outside.
He wasn't accustomed to waiting.
Usually, people waited for him.
But tonight, he stood in the hallway, staring at a closed door.
Marco approached.
“Sir.”
Damian turned.
“What?”
“The child has been found.”
Damian straightened.
“Where?”
“In the staff block.”
“Is she alone?”
“With one of the kitchen assistants.”
Damian nodded.
“Bring her here.”
Marco hesitated.
“Sir?”
“Her mother is ill. She should be nearby.”
“Of course.”
Ten minutes later, Lily Parker appeared at the end of the corridor.
She wore a yellow sweater, pink leggings, and shoes with tiny white flowers.
Her chestnut curls were tied into two uneven pigtails.
In her arms was the battered teddy bear Damian had found that morning.
She walked beside Marco with solemn determination.
Then she saw Damian.
She stopped.
Her eyes widened.
“You.”
Damian blinked.
“Me?”
Lily pointed at him.
“You're the sad man.”
Marco went rigid.
Damian stared.
“Excuse me?”
Lily hugged her bear.
“You were in the church.”
Damian's expression changed.
“You saw me?”
She nodded.
“You were sitting way back.”
He remembered the chapel.
The darkness.
The little girl kneeling in the front pew.
“I thought you didn't notice.”
Lily tilted her head.
“You looked lonely.”
Damian said nothing.
Marco looked as though he wanted the floor to swallow him.
Lily stepped closer.
“Are you sad because your mommy went to heaven too?”
The question struck Damian harder than any threat he'd ever received.
He looked down at her.
“Yes.”
Lily nodded with the grave understanding only children possess.
“My daddy went to heaven.”
Damian's throat tightened.
“I'm sorry.”
She hugged her bear.
“Mommy says heaven is where people don't hurt anymore.”
Damian looked away.
He hadn't thought about heaven in twenty-six years.
Lily reached toward his hand.
Her tiny fingers curled around one of his.
“It's okay,” she whispered. “You can borrow Mr. Buttons if you're sad.”
Damian stared at the teddy bear.
One missing eye.
Crooked stitches.
A faded heart on its paw.
“That's very generous.”
Lily nodded.
“He's good at hugs.”
Damian almost smiled.
Then the bedroom door opened.
Dr. Reeves stepped into the corridor.
“Mr. Bellucci.”
Damian turned immediately.
“How is she?”
The doctor glanced at Lily.
“Perhaps we should speak privately.”
Damian looked down at the little girl.
“Marco, would you take Lily to the sitting room?”
Lily tightened her grip on his hand.
“Is Mommy okay?”
Damian crouched.
It was an unfamiliar movement.
He rarely lowered himself to anyone's level.
But he did now.
“Your mother is being cared for.”
Lily's lip trembled.
“Is her tummy still hurting?”
Damian swallowed.
“The doctor is helping her.”
Lily studied him.
Then whispered, “I asked God.”
Damian nodded.
“I know.”
Her eyes widened.
“You heard?”
“Yes.”
She looked embarrassed.
“I wasn't supposed to be loud.”
“You weren't.”
“Then how did you hear?”
Damian hesitated.
“Sometimes people hear the things they need to hear.”
Lily considered that.
Then nodded.
“Okay.”
She followed Marco into the sitting room.
Damian stood.
Dr. Reeves looked troubled.
“Mr. Bellucci, Mrs. Parker needs hospital evaluation.”
Damian's jaw tightened.
“What's wrong?”
“I can't diagnose the cause here. She's been experiencing significant abdominal pain, dizziness, and weakness. She needs tests and proper medical assessment.”
“Then arrange it.”
The doctor hesitated.
“She told me she can't afford further care.”
Damian went still.
“What?”
“She said she's been delaying appointments because of the cost.”
Silence.
Then Damian asked, “Does she have medical coverage through this estate?”
Dr. Reeves looked uncomfortable.
“I don't know the details.”
Damian turned toward Marco.
“Find out.”
Marco nodded.
Damian looked back at the doctor.
“Arrange whatever evaluation she needs. I want her informed of every option, and she makes the medical decisions.”
Dr. Reeves nodded.
“Understood.”
Damian glanced toward the sitting room.
Through the doorway, Lily was sitting on the carpet, explaining something to her teddy bear.
He remembered her prayer.
She gives me the big piece every time.
His chest tightened.
“Doctor.”
“Yes?”
“Is she in immediate danger?”
Dr. Reeves answered carefully.
“She's stable at the moment, but delaying evaluation would be unwise.”
Damian nodded.
Then he looked toward the room where Elena lay.
“Make sure she knows her job isn't at risk because she's ill.”
Dr. Reeves gave a small nod.
Damian stood alone in the hallway.
For years, people had feared his power.
Now he was discovering something more unsettling.
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There were people living under his own roof who were frightened of needing help.
And he had never noticed.
