Emily slowly looked up at the mirror, fear flooding her face.
“Why isn’t he crying?” she whispered.
Ethan pressed harder on the accelerator.
“We’re almost there,” he said, though his heart was pounding in terror.
The tires screeched as Ethan pulled up to the emergency entrance of Banner – University Medical Center Tucson.
He jumped out without even turning off the engine.
“HELP!” he shouted, sprinting inside with the backpack.
Nurses rushed forward immediately.
Within seconds the baby was on a gurney, surrounded by doctors shouting urgent medical codes.
Emily tried to run after them, leaving bloody footprints across the hospital floor.
But exhaustion finally overcame her.
Her legs collapsed beneath her.
Ethan caught her just before she hit the ground.
“They’re going to take him!” she sobbed. “I promised my mom I’d protect him!”
“You did,” Ethan whispered, holding her tightly. “You saved him. Now let the doctors help.”
For the first time in years, Ethan felt something his wealth had never given him:
Helplessness.
Hours passed in the waiting room.
Finally a pediatrician appeared with a tired but genuine smile.
“Your brother is stable,” she told Emily.