A MOTHER’S TOUCH
Hours later, the sound of the front door opening pulled her from her thoughts. Rafael had returned, his eyes red, his shoulders slumped. The hospital hadn’t helped.
“Nothing,” he murmured to Sueli, the elderly housekeeper. “They said nothing’s wrong.”
The babies wailed again, their tiny bodies trembling.
Rafael’s voice cracked. “I can’t do this anymore.”
Renata hesitated at the doorway before stepping forward. “Sir… may I?” she asked softly, reaching out.
He looked at her — confused, desperate — and finally nodded.
The moment Renata took baby Helena in her arms, a miracle unfolded.
The crying stopped.
The silence was so sudden, so complete, that even the ticking clock seemed to hold its breath.
Renata began to hum a tune — low, tender, a lullaby she once sang to her own child. Helena’s eyelids fluttered. She sighed… and fell asleep.
Rafael’s mouth fell open. Sofia, sensing the calm, stopped crying too.
“How did you do that?” he whispered.
Renata’s eyes shimmered. “I don’t know, sir. Maybe… she just needed a mother’s heart.”
