He rushed inside and found Emily curled up on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, her small body trembling slightly. Her face was pale, her eyes red from crying.
Beside her stood Laura Carter, his wife, worry etched across her face.
“Dad…” Emily whispered when she saw him. “It hurts so much…”
Michael dropped to his knees beside her immediately, his heart breaking at the sight.
“I’m here,” he said softly, taking her hand. “I’ve got you.”
Her fingers clutched his like she had been waiting for that exact moment.
“What kind of pain?” he asked gently.
“My back…” she winced. “It feels like something’s… wrong. I don’t know how to explain it…”
Michael carefully helped her sit up, his eyes scanning her posture, the way she moved.
And then he saw it.
A slight swelling. A stiffness that didn’t belong in a child’s body.
Something wasn’t right.
Not even close.
“We’re going to the hospital,” he said firmly.
Laura nodded immediately. There was no argument, no hesitation now.
The hospital lights were harsh, too bright, too clinical.
Emily was taken in right away, her small hand still wrapped tightly around her father’s as nurses guided them through the process.
Tests followed one after another.