The drive to Harrington Children’s Hospital felt longer than usual. Lila clung to Rusty the whole way, her small fingers buried deep in his brown fur. Lucas sat beside her, gently keeping her warm under his coat.
When they arrived, nurses were already waiting at the entrance — Lucas’s call had ensured that. But when they approached with a stretcher, Lila instinctively shrank back.
“Rusty can come,” Lucas said firmly, looking the nurses in the eye. “No exceptions.”
Rusty, sensing the tension, stepped in front of Lila protectively.
The nurses hesitated — dogs weren’t normally allowed inside — but no one dared challenge the billionaire whose voice carried both authority and tenderness.
They led Lila to an exam room with Rusty right at her side, refusing to leave her even for a second.
Lucas stayed with them.
While the doctors checked her temperature, her blood pressure, her lungs, Rusty lay pressed against her legs, keeping her calm.
“I’ll get better… right?” she whispered.
“You’re safe now,” Lucas said. “Both of you.”
The doctors assured him Lila was weak from prolonged cold exposure and lack of food, but she’d recover with warmth, fluids, and rest.
Then Lucas asked the question that had been haunting him: “Where’s her mother?”
A nurse checked her clipboard. “She was admitted two days ago for severe pneumonia. She’s in stable condition now, but… she’s been asking for her daughter.”
Lila’s face lit up instantly. “Can I see Mama? Please?”
Lucas nodded. “Let’s go.”
Rusty got up too, ready to follow — but a staff member gently blocked his path.
“Sir, animals aren’t allowed in—”
