Down the hallway, Marcus found their mother, Rachel Morgan, fully dressed on top of the bed, shoes still on, exhaustion etched deep into her face. He shook her shoulder.
“Ma’am, you need to wake up.”
She startled.
“What happened? Where’s Lila? Where’s my baby?”
“They’re taking him to the hospital. We’re going too.”
At Cedar Valley Medical Center, fluorescent lights hummed over sleepless faces. Dr. Melissa Grant assessed Eli quickly, issuing instructions before introductions were finished. Nurses moved with quiet urgency while Marcus stood beside Rachel and Lila, who clutched his hand.
Rachel’s words poured out.
“I work nights at the warehouse. Sometimes doubles. Rent doesn’t wait. I set bottles up. Lila’s so smart. I thought I could manage. I didn’t mean…”
No one interrupted her.
After initial tests, Dr. Grant returned, expression serious.
“We’re stabilizing him. But this isn’t just a feeding issue.”
Rachel’s face drained of color.
“I fed him. I tried.”
“I believe you,” Dr. Grant said firmly. “That’s why we’re running further tests.”
Later, pediatric neurologist Dr. Arjun Patel joined them. After scans and evaluations, he spoke carefully.