Chapter 5 - The Promise in ICU
The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit was quiet, save for the soft rhythm of respirators and the gentle hum of IV pumps.
When I stepped into Room 4, Sophie looked so small in the hospital bed, surrounded by tubes and wires. A nasal cannula delivered oxygen to her nose, and her face was pale, but when her eyes met mine, a flicker of warmth returned to her dark brown irises.
"Mom..." her voice was barely a rasp, dry and cracked.
I rushed to her side, dropping to my knees beside the bed, carefully taking her small hand so as not to disturb the IV line running into her vein.
"I'm here, baby," I whispered, tears finally escaping my eyes and rolling down my cheeks. "I'm right here. You're safe. The surgery went wonderfully. The bad man is gone. He’s in handcuffs, Sophie. He will never, ever touch you again."
Sophie’s lip trembled. "The... the phone? Did you find it?"
"I have it," I pressed her hand to my cheek. "The police have all thirty-seven files. You did it, sweetheart. You were so brave. You saved your own life."
A tear slipped from the corner of her eye, soaking into her white pillowcase. "He said... if I told anyone... he’d hurt you, too. He said he’d make sure you lost your job at the hospital."
"He can't hurt me, Sophie," I said fiercely, kissing her knuckles. "And he can't hurt you. I spoke to the judge's office. Your temporary custody order has been revoked. As of three hours ago, I have emergency sole custody and guardianship over you. You are my daughter, forever."
Sophie squeezed my hand with surprising strength for someone who had just survived major abdominal surgery.
"Mom?" she whispered softly.
"Yes, baby?"
"He told me... he told me my real mommy died because she didn't love me enough to stay," Sophie choked out, her chest heaving slightly under the blanket. "Is that true?"
My heart shattered all over again, but this time, I had the truth to heal the wound.
"No, Sophie," I said clearly, looking straight into her eyes. "Your biological mother loved you with every piece of her heart. And she is alive."
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Sophie’s eyes widened in shock, her breath hitching in her chest. "She's... she's alive?"
"Yes," I stroked her hair softly. "Daniel hid her away because he was afraid of her. But we are bringing her home, Sophie. We are going to rescue her together."
