Chapter158 Three Seconds
Elena‘s POV
Alexander stood at the foot of the hospital bed, his voice measured and calm. "Lila, sweetheart, the medicine will make you feel better. Once you get the shot, the fever will go away."
Lila's response was immediate and visceral. She twisted away from him, her small body curling into a tight ball against the pillows, and let out a wail that made my heart clench. "No! No shots! I don't want it!"
"Lila—" Alexander tried again, reaching toward her.
"No!" She kicked out, her face flushed and streaked with tears. "You said I wouldn't have to! You promised!"
I moved without thinking, sliding between Alexander and the bed, my hands already reaching for my daughter. "Baby, it's okay. Shh, it's okay."
Alexander stepped back, his jaw tight. The nurse hovered near the IV pole, her expression professionally neutral but her eyes darting between us with barely concealed impatience. Dr. Patel stood by the door, arms crossed, waiting.
I sat on the edge of the bed and gathered Lila into my lap, her hot little body trembling against mine. She buried her face in my shoulder, her sobs muffled but no less desperate.
"I know you're scared," I murmured, stroking her damp hair. "I know, baby."
"I don't want a shot," she choked out. "Please, Mommy, please don't make me."
My throat tightened. I glanced at Alexander, who was watching us with that look—concern mixed with something harder, something that said this is necessary, Elena, you need to be firm. But firmness wasn't what Lila needed right now.
I pulled back just enough to see her face, cupping her feverish cheeks in my hands. "Lila, look at me."
Her eyes, red-rimmed and glassy, met mine.
"I'm not going to lie to you," I said quietly. "The shot is going to hurt. I won't tell you it won't, because that wouldn't be fair."
Her lower lip trembled. "Then I don't want it."
"I know. But here's what I can promise you: the pain will only last three seconds. That's it. We'll count together—one, two, three—and then it's over."
She stared at me, her breathing ragged. "Three seconds?"
"Three seconds." I held up three fingers. "And if it hurts too much, you can squeeze my hand as hard as you want. You can give me all your pain, okay? Just put it right here." I pressed her small palm against mine.
She looked down at our joined hands, her brow furrowing.
"And you know what else?" I leaned in closer, lowering my voice like I was sharing a secret. "You get to choose. You can pick which arm the nurse uses—left or right. And you get to tell us when you're ready. No one's going to do anything until you say so."
Her gaze flicked to the nurse, then back to me. "I can choose?"
"You can choose," I confirmed. "You're in charge of that part."
She was quiet for a moment, her fingers tightening around mine. Then, in a small voice: "What if I'm never ready?"
I smiled, even though my chest ached. "Then we'll wait. But baby, I need you to know something. I made a mistake earlier. I told you we didn't have to come to the hospital, and I was wrong. Sometimes grown-ups make mistakes, and I'm really sorry for that. But this shot? It's going to help you feel better. It's going to chase away all the bad stuff making you feel so yucky."
Lila sniffled, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. "Like the dragon in the story?"
I blinked. "The dragon?"
"The one you told me about. The knight who fights the dragon."
I didn't remember telling her that story, but I nodded anyway. "Yes, exactly like that. The medicine is the knight, and the infection is the dragon. And once the knight wins, you'll feel so much better."
She considered this, her expression serious. "And then I get a reward?"
"Absolutely." I glanced at Alexander, who was still standing a few feet away, his hands in his pockets. "Alexander, can you do me a favor?"
He stepped forward. "Of course."
I leaned in close to him, my voice low. "Go buy a strawberry cake. Lila loves strawberry cake."
His brow furrowed. "Now?"
"Yes, now. Please."
He hesitated, then nodded. "All right."
I turned back to Lila, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. "See? As soon as you're done, we'll have the biggest strawberry cake you've ever seen. With extra whipped cream."
Her eyes widened. "And sprinkles?"
"And sprinkles."
She bit her lip, her gaze drifting to the nurse. "Okay," she whispered. "I'll do it. But... but I want to use my left arm. And I want to count with you."
"Deal." I kissed her forehead, tasting salt and fever. "You're so brave, baby. So, so brave."
The nurse moved to her left side, prepping the IV site with quiet efficiency. Lila's hand tightened in mine, her nails digging into my palm.
"Okay," I said, my voice steady. "Let's count together. Ready?"
She nodded, her eyes squeezed shut.
"One."
The nurse slid the needle in.
"Two."
Lila's breath hitched, her whole body going rigid.
"Three."
"Done," the nurse said, taping the IV in place.
Lila's eyes flew open, wide with surprise. "That's it?"
"That's it." I pulled her into my arms, holding her close. "You did it, sweetheart. I'm so proud of you."
She clung to me, her sobs quieter now, more relieved than scared. "It wasn't that bad."
"No," I agreed, rocking her gently. "It wasn't."
Dr. Patel stepped forward, checking the IV line. "She's all set. The antibiotics will start working soon."
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
Lila shifted in my lap, her eyelids already drooping. "Mommy?"
"I'm here, baby."
"Will you sing to me?"
I swallowed hard, brushing my fingers through her tangled hair. "Of course."
I started humming a lullaby—soft and low, the melody coming to me without thought. Lila's breathing began to slow, her small body growing heavier against mine. I patted her shoulder in time with the rhythm, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Mommy," she murmured, her words slurring with sleep. "I don't... I don't want to get shots anymore. Ever."
"I know, sweetheart."
Her eyes fluttered shut, and within moments, she was asleep, her feverish cheek pressed against my chest. I held her there, rocking gently, the weight of her trust settling over me like something I didn't deserve.
I closed my eyes, pressing my lips to the top of her head.
I'm sorry, I thought. I'm so, so sorry.
But all I could do now was hold her. And pray that three seconds of pain would be enough to make her whole again.