Chapter 2 - The Silent Ward
Within twelve minutes, Julian’s personal security motorcade roared into the private ambulance bay of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Julian carried Diego in his arms, refusing the stretchers and medical aides until he had kicked open the doors to the elite pediatric trauma ward. Doctors and nurses swarmed them instantly, their voices overlapping in frantic medical shorthand.
"Bilateral contusions, fractured fourth and fifth ribs, possible splenic laceration!" Dr. Marcus, Julian’s personal family physician, called out as the boy was laid flat on the examination table. Diego's eyelids fluttered weakly, his skin already turning a clammy, translucent grey.
Julian stood rooted in the corner of the trauma room, an immovable monolith of dark fury amid the sterile, bustling white room. His designer dress shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, splashed with his son’s blood. His phone buzzed relentlessly against his thigh, but he ignored every vibration. His entire existence had narrowed down to the rhythmic, erratic beeping of the boy's cardiac monitor.
"Mr. Vance," Dr. Marcus stepped away from the bed, his brow furrowed with deep sorrow and suppressed rage. "We’ve stabilized him with immediate analgesics, and he’s heading into the CT scanner now. But Julian... these aren't accidental falls. The distinct patterns—these are compression bruises from blunt force, and there are defensive fractures along his left forearm that have already started healing incorrectly."
Julian felt a knife twist in his gut. Healing incorrectly meant this nightmare hadn't started today. It had been going on under his very nose, disguised by excuses, closed bedroom doors, and long executive business trips.
"Can you fix him, Marcus?" Julian’s voice was devoid of emotion, the calm before an annihilating storm.
"Physically, yes. We will set the bones and monitor internal bleeding," the doctor nodded gravely. "Legally... I am bound by mandatory reporting to file a domestic abuse claim immediately."
"Hold the paperwork for two hours," Julian said coldly, turning toward the door.
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"Julian, where are you going?" Dr. Marcus called out, alarmed by the terrifying void in the billionaire’s eyes.
Julian glanced over his shoulder. "To collect the evidence before she burns it."
