Chapter 6 - The Emergency Procedure
The private trauma bay at Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital was a hive of controlled chaos. Unlike Mercy Crown, which had been corrupted by Anthony’s bribes, Saint Jude’s was a top-tier pediatric facility completely disconnected from the Moretti family's web of influence. Dominic had cleared out an entire floor using cold hard cash and high-level political contacts within minutes of their arrival.
Claire stood at the head of the pediatric examination table, wearing fresh medical scrubs, assisting Dr. Elena Vance—a renowned neonatal specialist whom Dominic had flown in via private helicopter.
"Oxygen saturation is rising," Dr. Vance reported, watching the monitors closely. "92 percent. Temperature is stabilizing thanks to Nurse Bennett’s immediate thermal intervention in the field. Excellent work, Claire."
Claire wiped sweat from her forehead, her hands steady as she monitored Gabriel's IV drip. "He’s severely dehydrated, Dr. Vance. Malnutrition is present, but his organ function appears surprisingly resilient."
Outside the double glass doors of the trauma bay, Dominic stood watching. He hadn't washed the rain from his coat, nor had he smoothed his disheveled hair. He looked like a guardian demon standing watch over a fragile angel. His eyes never left the tiny baby lying under the warm blue light of the examination table.
Sofia, Dominic’s younger sister, arrived at the hospital twenty minutes later, her eyes red and swollen from crying. She rushed up to Dominic, throwing her arms around his waist.
"Is it true, Dom?" she wept. "Is it really Gabriel? Is he alive?"
"He's alive, Sofia," Dominic said, his voice deep and thick with emotion. He gently wrapped an arm around his sister, holding her close. "Anthony lied to us. He tried to destroy everything."
Sofia pulled back, her face pale with shock and fury. "Anthony? Our own cousin? How could he..."
"Anthony is being taken care of," Dominic said coldly, his eyes darkening for a fraction of a second before softening as he looked back through the glass at Claire. "Right now, all that matters is Gabriel."
Inside the room, Gabriel let out a sudden, loud, healthy cry—a sound full of strength and indignation that echoed through the speaker system of the trauma bay.
Dominic froze.
Claire looked up through the glass and smiled at him, nodding reassuringly. The frail, silent infant from Pier 4 was finding his voice.
Dr. Vance checked the infant's vitals one last time before stepping toward the door. She opened it and looked at Dominic.
"Mr. Moretti," Dr. Vance said with a warm, reassuring smile. "Your son is a fighter. He suffered from mild hypothermia and nutritional deprivation, but there is no permanent organ damage. With a few days of proper care, specialized formula, and monitoring, he is going to be completely healthy."
Dominic felt a weight—a crushingly heavy mountain that had rested on his chest since the day Lucia died—finally lift away. He closed his eyes, taking his first deep, clear breath in nineteen days.
"Can I... can I hold him?" Dominic asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"Nurse Bennett is preparing him now," Dr. Vance replied gently. "Go on in."
Dominic stepped into the warm room. The sharp smell of antiseptics was softened by the gentle hum of the heating lamps. Claire was carefully wrapping Gabriel in a soft, clean blue blanket. She looked up as Dominic approached, her pale blue eyes filled with warmth and tenderness.
"He wants his dad," Claire said softly.
She gently lifted the bundle and placed Gabriel into Dominic’s massive, scarred arms.
Dominic held his breath, terrified that he might break something so small and precious. But as Gabriel settled into the crook of his arm, the baby’s tiny hand reached out, instinctively grabbing onto Dominic’s pinky finger with a surprisingly firm grip.
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Dominic fell to his knees beside the medical bed, holding his son close to his chest, tears streaming down his face without shame.
Claire stepped back to give them space, wiping a stray tear from her own cheek. She had seen countless births and miraculous recoveries in her career, but watching this hardened man weep with pure, unconditional love for his child was something she knew she would never forget.
