Page 61 of Secret Baby's Second Shot

And for the first time, I felt hope outweigh the fear.

“Okay,” I said softly, my voice trembling but sure.

His smile was wide and genuine as he leaned in, brushing a soft kiss against my forehead.

31

SUMMER

The morning had started like any other. Ava sat cross-legged on the living room floor, Bunny perched beside her as she worked on a new puzzle Enzo had brought over a few days ago. Her giggles filled the room as she tried to fit the wrong pieces together on purpose, turning to me with an exaggerated pout every time they didn’t fit.

But by midday, something felt… off.

“Ava, sweetheart, are you okay?” I asked, noticing how sluggishly she was moving.

“I’m tired, Mommy,” she said, rubbing her eyes.

I frowned, kneeling beside her and brushing her curls back from her face. Her skin felt warm, and there was a faint bruise on her forearm that hadn’t been there yesterday.

“You didn’t fall, did you?” I asked, pointing to the bruise.

She shook her head slowly, her usual spark dim. “No, Mommy.”

Panic bloomed in my chest. Something wasn’t right.

I grabbedmy phone and dialed Enzo, pacing the living room as I waited for him to pick up.

“Summer? Everything okay?” he asked, his tone immediately alert.

“It’s Ava,” I said, my voice trembling. “She’s acting really tired, and she’s got a bruise on her arm that I don’t remember seeing before. I don’t know what’s going on, but I have a bad feeling.”

“Okay,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “Take a deep breath. Is she running a fever?”

“Maybe,” I said, glancing back at her. “She feels warm.”

“I’m coming over,” he said without hesitation. “We’ll take her to the hospital together.”

By the time Enzo arrived,Ava was curled up on the couch, her head resting on Bunny. She barely stirred when he knelt beside her, his hand gently pressing against her forehead.

“She’s definitely warm,” he said, his jaw tightening. “We’re not waiting. Let’s go.”

I grabbed Ava’s favorite blanket and my purse, my hands trembling as I helped him lift her into his arms.

The driveto the hospital felt like it took an eternity, though it was less than ten minutes. Ava lay quietly in the back seat, her eyes half-closed, while I held her hand tightly.

When we arrived, Enzo carried her inside, his presence commanding as he quickly explained the situation to the nurse at the front desk. Within moments, we were ushered into an exam room, the sterile smell of disinfectant filling the air.

A pediatrician arrived shortly after,her smile kind but professional as she examined Ava. “We’ll need to run some blood tests,” she said gently. “Her symptoms could be related to her platelet levels, given her medical history.”

I nodded, my stomach twisting. “Do whatever you need to.”

Ava whimpered as the nurse prepared the needle, and I sat beside her, holding her hand tightly. “It’s okay, sweetheart,” I said softly, brushing her hair back. “I’m right here.”

“It hurts, Mommy,” she said, tears welling in her eyes.

“I know, baby,” I said, my voice breaking. “It’ll be over soon.”

Enzo stood on the other side of the bed, his hand resting gently on Ava’s leg. “You’re so brave, Ava. You’re doing amazing,” he said, his voice calm and reassuring.

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