Chapter 3 - The Healing Room
By morning, the heavy storm clouds over Savannah had cleared, leaving behind a brilliant, crisp sunlit sky.
On the second floor of the Mercer mansion, sunlight streamed through the tall white windows of Noah’s bedroom. The room was warm, filled with hand-painted ships, bookshelves, and an impressive model train layout running along the perimeter of the carpet.
Noah sat propped up in his bed, wearing warm flannel pajamas, a small color book resting on his lap.
Sitting beside his bed on a low wooden stool was Hannah. She had stayed at the mansion overnight at Gideon’s personal request, ensuring the boy’s fever didn't return. She was currently helping him choose the right crayon for a large sailing ship.
"Use the dark blue one," Noah suggested, pointing with his small finger. "The river was dark blue last night."
Hannah paused, looking at the child. "Were you scared, Noah?"
Noah looked down at his coloring book, twisting his crayon between his hands. "A little bit. Uncle Julian said we were going to see a puppy near the pier... but then he pushed me."
He looked up at Hannah with his dark brown eyes—eyes that looked so remarkably like his father’s. "When I was in the water, I thought I was going to see my mom. But then you grabbed my coat."
Hannah felt a tight knot form in her throat. She reached out, gently pushing a strand of dark hair away from his forehead. "I'm glad I grabbed you, Noah. You're a very brave boy."
The bedroom door opened quietly, and Gideon stepped inside.
He was dressed in a simple dark sweater and trousers, his hair still slightly damp from the shower. The terrifying mafia boss who had commanded an empire hours ago looked completely different standing in his son's bedroom—he looked like a devoted father who had been given a second chance at life.
"How is the patient?" Gideon asked softly, walking over to the side of the bed.
"Hannah says my ship needs green sails," Noah announced proudly, holding up his paper.
Gideon looked at the drawing, then looked up at Hannah, a rare, genuine smile touching his lips. "Green sails? That’s unconventional."
"Unconventional keeps things interesting, Mr. Mercer," Hannah said, standing up from her stool.
"Call me Gideon," he replied softly.
He walked with Hannah toward the bedroom balcony, stepping out into the crisp morning air overlooking the sprawling green gardens and live oak trees of the estate.
"Dr. Vance checked Noah twenty minutes ago," Gideon said, leaning his hands against the stone balustrade. "His lungs are completely clear. He’s going to make a full recovery."
"I'm so glad," Hannah breathed, leaning against the rail beside him.
Gideon turned his head to look at her. "I had Daniel look into your background last night, Hannah."
Hannah straightened up slightly, a defensive flicker touching her eyes. "Find anything dangerous?"
"I found that you owe forty thousand dollars in medical debt from your late mother’s cancer treatment," Gideon said quietly. "I found that you live in a tiny studio apartment above a bakery, that you donate ten hours a week to a local children's shelter, and that you haven't taken a single vacation day in three years."
Hannah looked down at her hands, her cheeks warming slightly. "I do what I have to do to get by."
"You saved my son’s life when anyone else would have kept walking," Gideon said, his deep voice rich with an intense, absolute sincerity. "This morning, I paid off your mother’s entire medical debt in full."
Hannah’s breath caught in her throat. She stared at him in utter shock. "Gideon... what? No, I can't accept that—"
"It's already done," Gideon interrupted firmly. "And furthermore, I am creating a permanent endowed nursing position at St. Jude Memory Care in your name, with a salary four times what you currently earn, so you never have to work a night shift again unless you choose to."
Tears welled up in Hannah’s hazel eyes, spilling over her lashes before she could stop them. "Why... why would you do that for me?"
May you like
Gideon reached out, his broad, warm hand gently cupping her cheek, his thumb brushing away a single tear.
"Because you brought light back into this dark house, Hannah," Gideon whispered softly. "And because my son needs you in his life... and so do I."
