24
“Let me try to soothe him,” I said, gesturing to the boy in his arms.
The man’s brow furrowed. Before he could object, I slipped off my white coat and set it aside.
“I’m a doctor at this hospital. Here’s my ID badge-” I glanced up at the security camera on the ceiling. “The hospital has extensive surveillance, and I’m sure you have plenty of your own people on this floor.” I looked back at him. “I’ll just hold him, right here.”
My gaze fell on the child’s tear–streaked face. “He’s crying so hard. If this continues, I’m worried he’ll have trouble breathing.” I promised again, “I’ll just comfort him here. In this room. As soon as he’s calm, I’ll leave.”
The man still hesitated. Damian must have given him strict orders.
I looked at the child in his arms and spoke again. “I’m a doctor. I have some experience with this.”
His expression finally softened. Slowly, hesitantly, he transferred the boy into my arms. But he remained standing right in front of me, his eyes locked on my every move.
I held the small body securely. He had been crying for so long. His eyelashes were soaked, stuck together with tears. He shuddered, managing to pry his eyes open to look at me.
I don’t know if he recognized me. He just gently wrapped his little arms around my neck and rested his head
on my shoulder.
He was so small. Holding him filled my heart with an infinite, overwhelming tenderness.
