Love On Duty : A story of love and responsibility

Part 15

~Free's POV~

I was driving home, my mind heavy with thoughts. Y/n's baby shower had been postponed to next week due to some hospital work she got caught up in, and Mom had gone to meet her friends. Being a doctor isn't easy. I wondered how Dalny was feeling. She tries to hide it, but I know she's in pain. I've seen it in her eyes, the sadness she keeps bottled up. I need to do something—I can't bear to see her like this. My thoughts were abruptly interrupted when a child suddenly appeared in front of my car. Thank God I slammed the brakes in time.

I quickly got out of the car and saw a little boy, no older than five. His clothes were worn and tattered, and he was crying, clearly scared.

Free: Hey! Are you okay?

He nodded slowly, looking up at me with wide, frightened eyes.

Free: Don't be scared. I won't scold you, dear. What's your name?

Daniel: D-Daniel...

He was clutching his leg, and I noticed he was injured.

Free: Oh my—let's get you to a hospital.

Daniel: N-No...I-I'm hungry, Uncle...

Free: Where do you live? Do you remember your parents' phone number? I can call them—

Daniel: I live on the s-streets...Please, just give me food.

A shiver ran down my spine as I looked at him. His vulnerable state brought tears to my eyes.

Free: Come with me, dear. I'll give you lots of food.

He agreed, and I took him with me.

~End of POV~

Dalny answered the door as the bell rang, frowning slightly when she saw Free standing there with a child in his arms.

Dalny: Who is he?

Free: I'll explain later. He's hungry. Can you arrange some dinner for him?

Dalny: Yeah, sure.

Dalny quickly prepared a meal, and the boy devoured it eagerly.

Daniel: Thank you, Aunty. It's sooo tasty.

Dalny smiled at him warmly.

Dalny: Eat as much as you want.

As Daniel continued eating, Free explained everything to Dalny. She listened, her expression softening with sympathy.

Dalny: Oh my... Poor thing.

Free: I felt so bad for him, I couldn't just leave him out there.

Dalny: You did the right thing, Free.

They both watched Daniel as he finished his meal.

Free: I've called Shu. He'll investigate to see if we can find out who his parents are. In the meantime, let's keep him here.

Dalny: Yeah, it's already late. Daniel, let's get you some fresh clothes and bandage that wound.

~A Week Later~

Days passed, and in that time, Free had grown deeply attached to Daniel. Shu had found out that Daniel's parents were dead, leaving him an orphan. Everyone suggested sending him to an orphanage, but Free wasn't ready to let him go. He kept making excuses, delaying the inevitable. Daniel, too, had become attached to Free and didn't want to leave.

One day, Shu entered Free's office to discuss the situation.

Shu: Brother, I need to talk to you about Daniel.