Page 62 of Secret Baby's Second Shot

Her tears subsided slightly at his words, and I felt a pang of gratitude for his steady presence.

An hour later,the pediatrician returned with the results. Her expression was serious but measured. “Ava’s platelet levels are critically low. It’s likely why she’s been bruising easily and feeling so lethargic.”

My heart sank. “What does that mean? What happens now?”

“We’ll need to admit her for observation,” the doctor said. “We’ll monitor her closely and run additional tests to determine the best course of action.”

I nodded, my hands trembling as I looked down at Ava. She was so small, so fragile, and it felt like the ground beneath me was crumbling.

While the nursesprepped Ava’s room, Enzo and I stepped into the hallway, the fluorescent lights casting harsh shadows across his face.

“This is my fault,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

“What?” he asked, his brow furrowing.

“I should have noticed sooner,” I said, wrapping my arms around myself. “The bruises, the tiredness… I should have done something.”

“Stop,” he said firmly, stepping closer. “You’re an amazing mom, Summer. You’ve done everything right.”

Tears stung my eyes as I shook my head. “But what if it’s not enough?”

“It is,” he said, his voice softening. “Ava is lucky to have you. And she’s going to get through this. We both are.”

I looked up at him, his calm determination grounding me. “Thank you,” I whispered.

“Always,” he said simply.

Back in Ava’s room,she was propped up on the bed, Bunny clutched tightly to her chest. Her eyes were wide and glassy, her small voice trembling as she asked, “Am I going to be okay, Mommy?”

“You’re going to be just fine, sweetheart,” I said, sitting beside her and pressing a kiss to her forehead. “The doctors are going to take care of you.”

“And so are we,” Enzo added, pulling up a chair on the other side of her bed.

Ava looked between us, her lip trembling. “You won’t leave, right?”

“Never,” I said firmly, taking her hand in mine.

“Not for a second,” Enzo added, his hand resting gently on her blanket-covered leg.

As the hours passed,the reality of the situation began to sink in. Nurses came and went, checking her vitals and administering medications, their movements efficient and precise.

I sat by Ava’s side the entire time, my fingers brushing through her curls as she drifted in and out of sleep. Enzo stayed close, stepping out only to speak with the doctors or grab us something to drink.

“She’s strong,” he said quietly as we sat together, the soft beeping of the monitors filling the silence.

“She gets that from you,” I said, glancing at him.

He shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. “She gets it from both of us.”

That night,as Ava slept, I leaned back in the chair, exhaustion weighing heavily on me. Enzo sat beside me, his hand resting lightly on mine.

“We’re going to get through this,” he said softly, his voice steady.

I nodded, the warmth of his touch anchoring me. “Together.”

“Always,” he said, and for the first time since the day had started, I believed it.

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