Beside her stood a small girl with curly hair, eyes wide with fear.
The moment she saw the baby through the glass, she burst into tears.
“I’m sorry!” she cried.
The room froze.
Jessica turned to her, confused. “Ava, what are you talking about?”
The little girl clung to her mother, sobbing.
“I just wanted to hug him,” she cried. “He wouldn’t stop crying… so I held him really tight…”
Jessica’s face went white.
“What did you do?” she whispered.
“I didn’t mean to hurt him!”
Silence filled the room.
Michael leaned against the wall. Emily covered her mouth.
And I felt the truth settle in my chest.
No one had meant to hurt him.
He had just been held too tightly… by a child who didn’t understand how fragile a baby is.
Dr. Harris stepped closer and knelt in front of the girl. “Were you trying to help him?”
She nodded through tears. “I just wanted him to stop crying…”
“Is the baby going to die?” she asked.
Emily shook her head gently. “No, sweetheart. He’s going to be okay.”
The girl cried harder. “I’m sorry…”
That night felt endless.
We stayed by Oliver’s bedside, watching every movement, every sound. Hours passed slowly.
Finally, Dr. Harris returned.
“The bleeding has stopped,” he said.
Relief filled the room.