Chapter 2 - The Emergency Ward
Within four minutes, Victor’s armored SUV was tearing through red lights toward Northwestern Memorial's private trauma wing, flanked by three black sedans.
Victor sat in the leather back seat, holding Ethan securely against his chest. Opposite him, Lily sat hunched over, her hands shaking uncontrollably as she pressed an ice pack against her bruised ribs.
"Hold him steady, Lily," Victor ordered gently, sliding the baby toward her arms. "I need to make calls."
Lily took Ethan, her arms wrapping around the boy with a fierce, protective gentleness. Ethan’s small gasps slowly quieted as he felt Lily’s familiar warmth, his tear-soaked cheek resting against her collarbone.
Victor pulled out his encrypted phone, dialing his personal physician and head of emergency surgery, Dr. Vance.
"Edward. I am two minutes away," Victor said smoothly. "My son has a displaced fracture in his upper left humerus and signs of mild respiratory distress. Have a pediatric trauma team ready in Bay 1. If anyone outside my private staff sees him, I will burn your hospital wing to the ground."
He ended the call and looked up at Lily.
Her hair was disheveled, her uniform torn at the shoulder, and a purple bruise was already blooming along her jawline. Yet, her focus was completely locked on keeping Ethan still, softly humming a quiet lullaby to soothe the child's agony.
"You took a boot to the ribs for my son," Victor said, his gray eyes probing her face.
"I promised his mother before she died that I would keep him safe," Lily whispered, her eyes filled with unshed tears. "I don't care what happens to me, Mr. Blackwood. Just please... don't let her hurt him again."
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Victor’s jaw tightened until the muscle twitched. "Serena Montigue will never see daylight again, Lily. That I promise you."
The SUV pulled into the subterranean ambulance bay. Within seconds, a team of six doctors and nurses swarmed the vehicle. Ethan was carefully placed on a padded pediatric gurney and wheeled through double doors, with Victor and Lily rushing right behind them.
