Parents.. with different treatment

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Five days had passed since Xander was admitted to the hospital. Valerie hadn't left his side, keeping a constant vigil by his bed. She held his hand, read his favorite stories, and reassured him whenever he woke in the middle of the night, frightened and confused. Sam visited every day, bringing little gifts to cheer Xander up and talking to the doctors to stay informed.

On the fifth day, the doctors ran a few additional tests, wanting to understand the full extent of Xander's health issues after his seizure. Later that afternoon, Dr. Patel, the physician who had been overseeing Xander's case, approached Valerie with a serious look in her eyes.

"Ms. Davis," Dr. Patel began, her tone gentle yet concerned, "we've found something in Xander's heart. He has a small defect that might be contributing to his health issues. It's something we'll need to monitor closely, and, in the future, he may require surgery."

Valerie felt her heart sink, the weight of worry settling even heavier on her shoulders. "Will he... will he be okay?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper as she looked at her son, who was playing quietly with a toy in his hospital bed, oblivious to the gravity of the situation.

Dr. Patel placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We'll do everything we can to ensure he's okay. But his heart condition could be affected by stress, so it's vital we minimize any distress he experiences at home. His physical and emotional safety need to be a priority moving forward."

Valerie nodded, her mind racing. She knew this was a clear sign—something had to change, and quickly. Xander needed a safe, nurturing environment, and she couldn't keep him in the same household where he was hurt, even if that meant confronting Colby and making difficult decisions for their family.

Later that night, as she sat beside Xander's bed, she held his hand gently. "Xander, you're so brave, you know that?" she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Xander looked up at her, his small face showing a flicker of confusion. "Brave? I just want things to be okay," he mumbled softly.

She leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. "And they will be, sweetheart. I promise. Uncle Sam and I are going to make sure of it."

The next morning, Valerie made a phone call, reaching out to a support group that could help guide her through the process of ensuring Xander's safety. She knew the road ahead would be hard, but with her resolve strengthening, she felt ready to do whatever it took to give Xander the chance at a safe, healthy life. And with Sam's unwavering support, she knew she wasn't alone in this fight.

Xander, though too young to fully understand, sensed a change. For the first time, he felt a glimmer of hope and safety in the air, as if he could finally believe his mom's promise that things were truly going to get better.