She had a child, so surely she also had a husband. But where was he?
Daniel's eyes brimmed with unshed tears, yet he held them back. "Daddy's off doing something way more important."
Brittany frowned. "Do we not have a good relationship?"
If they were close, why wasn't he here when she was going through such a tough time?
Daniel was no fool.
Brittany was seriously injured, and Isaac had vanished without a trace. Just days ago, there was even a reward notice out for any information on his whereabouts.
The family kept it from Daniel, but he had stumbled upon the reward notice online.
He wasn't stupid; in fact, he was quite the opposite. He could tell from the adults' reactions that something serious had happened to Isaac.
He shook his head, certain. "No, Daddy loves you very much."
Brittany grew more uncertain. "Then when will he come to see me? Is he handsome? How old is he, and what's his name?"
Daniel spoke deliberately, "He'll come to see you, but until then, you need to focus on healing. I'll be here with you every day."
Brittany felt her son was beyond his years, probably taking after his father. She reached out and gently pinched the tip of his nose. "Alright then."
"What's your name?"
"You can call me Daniel."
Through a closed door, Yuri watched the mother and son enjoy their time together, torn between joy and sorrow.
...
Inside a research facility in Craneville, a man lay on a hospital bed, his body riddled with wounds and tubes protruding everywhere, connected to a heart monitor under constant surveillance.
"Professor Elijah, the situation is dire."
The man's organs were failing at various degrees, and if this continued, he might not be saved.
Daniel froze, his little face clouded with hesitation. After a long pause, he shook his head. "No, I want to stay with Mommy."
Noel was persistent. "You've seen her?"
"Uh-huh, Mommy hasn't fully recovered, and I stayed with her at the hospital yesterday."
Noel set him down and looked into his eyes. "Daniel Salter, are you sure you want to stay in Craneville?"
"Uncle, I know Daddy's gone." Daniel's voice was hoarse, "I don't want to leave Mommy. It's just her, Grandpa, and me now."
Noel hadn't expected him to be aware of the situation and couldn't hide his emotions. "But, I only have you..."
"Uncle, you'll get married one day." Daniel didn't see it the same way, "You'll have your own family. I don't want to be in your way. Mommy loves me a lot, and Grandpa's really good to me. Staying in Craneville means I can be with Mommy, and that makes me happy."
A lump formed in Noel's throat, moved by Daniel's precocity and resilience.
"Okay, I'll let you stay. But you have to promise to come to Imperial City and visit me every year. Deal?"
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