Chapter 18

“Lilly, can you lay the pillow down where Demetri was laying, raise the rail and plug it in.”

I give her a loving smile as I help her with Angela’s request.

“Cole, if you understand what I’m saying I need you to let go of my hand.”

It doesn’t take long for him to respond, slowly letting go of her hand. I easily notice the tremor in his hand but don’t say anything about it. It’s when she places the stethoscope to his chest that he startles badly enough for him to return to the distressing high pitched whine he’s had most of the morning causing Lilly to cover her ears. Hearing a whine like that triggers memories that she still hasn’t let go of from long ago.

She looks at me with tears in her eyes as I pull her gently into me, holding her head against my chest so she can wrap her arms around me, grasping the back of my shirt into her fists. It’s only a few seconds later that I can hear her through the mind link.

‘That’s why you think he’s been abused.’

‘That’s part of the reason, y