2The Maid’s Toddler Refused to Leave the Mafia Boss’s Hospital Room, and What She Smelled Made Every Doctor Turn Pale

By sunrise, the rain had stopped.

A soft, golden light spread across the calm waters of Port Lawson harbor, illuminating the grand stone walls of the Vale coastal estate—a private fortress nestled among tall pine trees at the edge of the sea.

Inside the estate's sunlit master suite, Dr. Mercer had just finished re-stitching Adrian’s abdominal incision.

"You're a stubborn man, Adrian," Dr. Mercer said, packing his surgical kit into his leather bag. "You tore four sutures during that firefight. If you don't stay in this bed for the next three days, I'll have Mason tie you to the frame."

Adrian sat propped up against three pillows, wearing a clean white shirt, a fresh bandage wrapped snug around his waist.

"Thank you, Mercer," Adrian said quietly. "Is the perimeter secure?"

"Mason has thirty men patrolling the gates," Dr. Mercer replied, stepping toward the door. "And the Moretti family in Boston received news of Julian Vance’s death two hours ago. They've withdrawn all claims to Dock 14. They won't bother you again."

The doctor opened the door and walked out, leaving Adrian alone in the quiet room.

A light knock sounded at the frame.

Grace stepped inside, holding a tray with a pot of hot tea and two small ceramic cups. Behind her, Lily trotted into the room, holding her gray rabbit under one arm and her new silver rabbit pendant proudly around her neck.

"How are you feeling?" Grace asked, setting the tray on the bedside table.

"Better now that you're here," Adrian said, his dark eyes softening completely as he looked at her.

Lily climbed up onto the foot of the bed, crawling across the heavy duvet until she sat right beside Adrian's hip. She leaned close, sniffing his white shirt carefully.

Adrian raised an eyebrow, a small smile touching his lips. "Well, little rabbit? How do I smell?"

Lily smiled brightly, her small brown eyes twinkling.

"You smell like peppermint," she announced happily. "And soap."

Adrian let out a deep, genuine laugh, reaching over to pat her head. "Good. That means the doctors did their job."

Grace sat down in the armchair beside the bed, pouring two cups of tea. Her hands were calm now, the fear of the night finally melting away under the warm morning sun.