Parents.. with different treatment

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It was a quiet Saturday morning when it happened. Valerie had just finished making breakfast, and the kids were gathered around the table, laughing and talking. Suddenly, Xander's laughter trailed off, and he went rigid. His eyes widened, his body convulsed, and he fell to the floor, his small frame wracked by a seizure.

Valerie's heart stopped, panic taking over as she dropped to her knees beside him. "Xander! Xander!" she cried, her hands shaking as she tried to comfort him. Xavier and Victoria watched, wide-eyed with fear, clinging to each other as Sam, who had been visiting that morning, rushed over.

"He's having a seizure!" Sam said urgently, guiding Valerie to give him space while he turned Xander onto his side to keep him safe until the seizure passed. Within moments, they were rushing him to the hospital, Sam holding Xander close in the backseat, whispering reassurances as Valerie drove with shaking hands.

When they arrived, the doctors quickly took Xander into an exam room. They stabilized him and began a thorough check-up. But as they gently rolled up his sleeves and examined his arms, their expressions shifted. Dark bruises and faint scars painted a picture that no one could ignore.

One of the doctors, a compassionate woman with a gentle demeanor, pulled Valerie aside, her face serious. "Ms. Davis, I'm concerned about some injuries we've found on Xander. They're not consistent with typical childhood accidents," she said carefully. "Are you aware of how he got these bruises?"

Valerie's throat tightened, her heart racing as the weight of the question hit her. She knew this moment would come eventually; she had hoped to protect Xander before anyone else noticed. She looked down, her voice barely a whisper as she replied, "I... I think his father might be responsible."

The doctor's expression softened, but there was a firm resolve in her eyes. "We want to make sure Xander is safe. This may require further investigation to ensure he's not in danger at home."

Valerie felt tears prick her eyes as she nodded, the reality of the situation setting in. She had tried to shield her son, to keep their family together, but it was clear now that protecting Xander had to be her priority, no matter the cost.

When Xander finally woke up, he looked around the hospital room, disoriented. Valerie sat beside him, taking his hand gently. "Sweetheart, you had a little scare, but you're safe now. And... we're going to make sure you stay safe. Uncle Sam and I, we're here for you."

Xander blinked, his tired eyes flickering with a mix of fear and relief. He didn't understand everything, but for the first time, he felt a glimmer of hope that things might finally change.