Elena stared at the few hurried figures for a moment, a sudden unease rising in her chest. She pressed her lips together and walked toward Aiden’s ward. When she entered, the bed next to Aiden’s was already empty.
On the floor lay a pool of blood, and a nurse was cleaning it up.
Seeing the stark red, Elena’s heart leapt.
Aiden was being held by a female caregiver, looking terrified. When he saw Elena, he called for her and reached out to be picked up.
Elena rushed over, holding him close and gently stroking his head. “It’s okay, it’s okay. Mom’s here.”
“Mom, Leo… he… they took him away,” Aiden whispered from her arms, his big eyes filled with tears, fear, and confusion. “What happened to Leo? Will he come back?”
The caregiver’s eyes reddened. She had been caring for Aiden and knew Le
