Shawn stayed at the hospital with Willa and Eli for an entire week.
The child's fever refused to fully subside. After several examinations, the doctor concluded that the lingering fever was most likely caused by emotional shock combined with long-term malnutrition. Years of poor living conditions had left the boy physically fragile.
Hearing that only deepened Shawn's guilt toward both mother and son.
Nestled quietly in his arms, Willa spoke in her usual soft voice. "It's not as serious as the doctor makes it sound. Eli and I..." She paused with a faint smile, though her reddened eyes gave her away. "Life's been hard, but having him beside me was enough to keep me going."
Then she lowered her gaze and added gently, "After you left, I had nightmares almost every night. But it's alright n
