Chapter 7 - The Morning AfterLucas woke the next morning asking for pancakes.
The doctors were stunned.
His bloodwork was improving.
His heart rhythm was steadier.
His appetite was returning.
The toxin had been identified.
Treatment began immediately.
For the first time, doctors weren't guessing.
They were treating the cause.
Lorenzo sat beside his son's bed.
Lucas looked at him.
“Dad?”
“Yes?”
“Am I going to die?”
Lorenzo swallowed.
“No.”
“You promise?”
“I promise I'm going to do everything I can.”
Lucas smiled.
“Emma said you would.”
Lorenzo looked toward the door.
Emma stood there with her doll.
She smiled.
“Hi.”
Lucas waved.
“You saved me.”
Emma shrugged.
“I found the bad packet.”
Lucas smiled.
“Thank you.”
She climbed onto the chair beside him.
Lorenzo watched them.
Two children.
One had nearly died.
The other had unknowingly saved him.
He realized how close he had come to losing his son.
And how easily he had trusted the wrong people.
That afternoon, Lorenzo visited Vivian.
She was cooperating with investigators.
“You saved my son,” he said.
She shook her head.
“I helped hurt him.”
“You also stopped.”
“I should have stopped sooner.”
“Yes.”
She looked down.
“I know.”
Lorenzo stood.
“I can't erase what happened.”
“I know.”
“But your cooperation may save other families.”
She nodded.
For the first time, there was something like peace in her eyes.
Outside, the rain stopped.
Sunlight appeared through the hospital windows.
May you like
Lorenzo looked at it.
He hadn't noticed how long it had been since the sky looked bright.
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