I didn’t go back to the waiting area right away. My legs took me outside the hospital building, where the sun blazed like it had no idea my world was falling apart. The heat did nothing to chase away the chill inside my chest.
Celine’s words rang in my ears like cruel lullabies: “He’ll be calling me Mommy, too.”
The audacity. The cruelty. The threat. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, steadying myself before heading back up to the pediatric wing. I had to be strong. For Liam. For the only reason I was still breathing after everything Zach had done.
When I reached the hallway outside Dr. Beltran’s office, the door was already open. Liam was sitting on the cushioned bench, swinging his legs, humming to himself like nothing was wrong in the world.
“Hey, love,” I said softly, kissing his forehead.
He grinned. “Done already. Dr. B said my lungs sound better!”
I knelt in front of him, cupping his face. “That’s amazing. I’m proud of you.”
He smiled wider. “Can we get ice cream before we go home?”
I laughed, brushing his hair back. “Only if you promise not to tell Dr. B.”
“Promise!”