“No. I found them. If I hadn’t stopped, the baby would be dead.”
“Even so, the Council must intervene,” she said. “We can’t let minors stay with a stranger just because he has… resources.”
The word stung.
The doctor finally returned. “The baby is very critical… but responding. The next 48 hours matter.”
Lana cried with relief and threw herself into Alexander’s arms. Something inside him thawed.
Investigations began. Reports, interviews, assessments. Through it all, Lana stayed close to Alexander—her only anchor.
Daniela insisted procedures must be followed. Alexander answered: “Ask Lana what she wants.”
Weeks later, in juvenile court, the judge asked:
“Lana, what do you want?”
She looked up, hands shaking.
“I want to stay with him. He didn’t leave me alone. He didn’t let my sister die.”
The prosecutor objected, but Alexander spoke:
“This girl knows abandonment better than any of us. She only wants not to be alone. I’m not asking for favors. I’m asking to be responsible. To be a family.”
Silence. Then the judge ruled:
“Provisional custody granted to Mr. Alexander Moreira.”
Lana clung to him. He let a tear fall.