Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 393

He watched her little face turn pale, her breath uneven, clearly in bad shape.

It was then that Whitney realized she had neglected her other son over the past three days.

She got up and walked over, touching his small wrist only to feel an alarming heat. A wave of guilt washed over her. "You have a fever, Danny!"

Danny silently hung his head. "Dad set up an IV for me, but I don't want it. I almost wish it would just end me."

"Why would you say something like that, sweetie?"

Whitney had an epiphany, guilt flooding her eyes. She blamed herself; she had another son. These past few days, consumed by the search for Sammy, she had completely forgotten about Danny, who was always the more fragile one.

"Mommy, it's all my fault, isn't it? Why wasn't it me taken by Elaine?

I'd rather it have been me! You and Sammy are so close, I can't stand to see you hurt.

Why is it always Sammy who steps up, and he's the one who suffers? I hate feeling so useless. I'm the older brother, and I couldn't protect him.

That day, it was my idea to send Sammy to visit Grandma. If I hadn't spoken up, none of this would’ve happened...

And now he's gone, just gone!"

Danny clung to Whitney's legs, his sorrow barely contained, his little hands gripping her jeans tightly. Whitney could see how much he blamed himself.

Her heart ached, and she immediately scooped him into her arms, enveloping him in her embrace. The little guy was so sensitive, blaming himself for everything.

Whitney couldn't bear to see him so upset, whispering soothingly, "It's okay, Danny. Sammy just took a bit more of the nutrients in the womb, which made him stronger. He should be the one looking out for his big brother.

You know, you fought for six months in an incubator, battling just like Sammy. You're both my heartaches.

And remember, we're all still looking for Sammy. We won't give up..."

"We won't give up, Mommy. Please don't give up."

Whitney's heart ached fiercely, nodding vigorously as she took his hand and walked down the corridor. "Didn't you say Grandma was looking for us? Let's take your IV bag and go to her room..."

In the ICU, Natalie woke up, her eyes clear despite the oxygen mask.

Seeing Whitney enter, she gestured weakly, a heavy sigh escaping her.

"Ludwik says Sammy hasn't been found yet..." Natalie removed her mask, her gaze dimming.

Whitney bit her lip to prevent her eyes from reddening, her voice steady, "We're still searching. Maybe in a couple of days, we'll find him. That kid is incredibly smart; he might just save himself..."

"Whitney." Natalie closed her eyes momentarily, breaking through Whitney's facade.

Tears welled up in the old woman's eyes as she slowly pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from her pocket. "I was rushed to the hospital the other day... didn't notice it then. It was only yesterday when the nurse told me it fell out of my hospital gown...

My eyesight's not what it used to be; I can't read it clearly, but I remember that night... Sammy wrote it, take a look..."

Her voice choked up as she remembered, "That night, Sammy said it was safe? He wanted to get me out, but I was too weak and passed out soon after. In a haze, I heard the child crying, running out...

I wonder if he went to get help? Or was he taken by Elaine outside?

How could he just... disappear?" Tears streaked down Natalie's face as she fell silent.

Whitney's heart raced, unfolding the paper. The writing, smeared with dirt, was undoubtedly a child's scribble.

Her hands trembled as she made out the words, Sammy's message to her.

"Mommy, if something happens to me, don't be sad.

You wanted to save Grandma, and I wanted to be brave for her, not let her die here!

I went outside, I was brave, I'll always love you. If the worst happens... I really don't make it, I hope I can still be your good little kid next time."

Whitney clutched the note, her sorrow overwhelming as she gasped for air, her strength leaving her as she collapsed.

"Whitney?" Natalie, alarmed by her state, quickly asked, "What did the child write?"