The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 363

In the ICU, every breath Dylan Sanford took through the ventilator was an agony. He had been intubated for days.

Loretta Sanford, who had been sitting by his side, stood up to make way for her brother.

Fletcher, holding Chaim, who was now wearing a mask and a sterile gown, approached the bed.

Dylan’s eyes, cloudy and barely conscious, seemed to flicker, but he showed no other reaction.

“Dad, look who’s here to see you,” Fletcher said softly.

Dylan remained still.

Loretta’s eyes were red as she choked back sobs. “I’ve been calling his name for so long, but he can’t hear me. I don’t think he’s going to make it through the day…”

Two doctors had accompanied Fletcher into the room to monitor Chaim’s condition. Hearing Loretta’s words, one of them stepped forward to check the patient, then let out a resigned sigh.

“Have the boy call out to him. Sometimes that helps,” the doctor suggested.

Fletcher immediately looked at his son. “Chaim, call for Grandpa. Tell him to wake up. I know he’ll hear you.”

At just three years old, Chaim was understandably frightened by the sight of his grandfather hooked up to so many machines. As Fletcher lowered him, the boy instinctively shrank back into his arms.

“Chaim, it’s Grandpa. Don’t be scared,” Fletcher soothed, his voice gentle. “He’s just sick and sleeping. You have to wake him up.”

After a few more words of encouragement, the obedient child finally looked at the semi-conscious Dylan.

“Grandpa,” he called out in his small, childlike voice.

“Grandpa… it’s me, Chaim.”

“Grandpa, please wake up…”

“Dad, you wanted to see your grandson, didn’t you? Chaim is here now. Open your eyes and look at him,” Loretta pleaded, kneeling by the bed, her voice thick with tears.

"Chaim, he's not crying because it hurts," Loretta said gently, voice shaking. "He's crying because he's happy to see you. Do you understand?"

Chaim stayed by the bedside for over ten minutes, until Dylan, exhausted, lapsed back into unconsciousness. Fletcher carried him out and handed him back to Sheridan and Melanie.

“Chaim, say goodbye to your daddy. We’re leaving now,” Sheridan prompted.

Chaim waved his small hand. “Bye-bye, Daddy.”

Fletcher watched them go, his heart heavy with a profound sense of loss.

Loretta came out and saw the redness in her brother’s eyes. She knew what he was thinking. “Fletcher, did you talk to Vivica? Did you sincerely apologize? Is there still no chance she’ll take you back?”

Fletcher’s gaze remained fixed on the sight of his son laughing in Sheridan’s arms. “She got married,” he said, his voice hollow, like a walking corpse. “Today. To that lawyer.”

“What?” Loretta was stunned. “That was fast! How long has it been since the divorce? She didn’t waste any time, did she? That was a quick rebound!”