Chapter 3 - A Visitor Nobody Wanted
The man didn't slow his pace.
His heavy boots echoed through the corridor until several nurses instinctively looked up from their stations. He ignored every greeting and stopped outside Room 214 without even glancing through the window first.
His name was Victor Hale.
To hospital staff, he was Ethan's stepfather.
To Ethan, he was the reason every goodbye felt frightening.
Victor pushed open the door without knocking.
Buddy rose instantly.
A low growl rumbled from the old dog's chest.
Victor sneered.
"Still got that mutt in here?"
Ethan's smile disappeared.
Daniel remained standing quietly near the window, studying every movement.
Victor noticed him.
"And who are you?"
"A volunteer."
Victor shrugged dismissively.
"Then volunteer somewhere else."
Daniel didn't move.
Neither did Buddy.
Victor stepped closer to the bed.
"I told your mother that dog belongs outside."
Ethan wrapped trembling fingers around Buddy's collar.
"He stays with me."
Victor laughed.
"For now."
The two words chilled the room.
Daniel spoke calmly.
"He seems important to Ethan."
Victor answered without looking at him.
"He's just a dog."
"No," Ethan whispered.
"He's family."
Victor rolled his eyes.
"You're too attached."
The silence that followed felt dangerous.
Daniel noticed Buddy positioning himself between Victor and the hospital bed—not aggressively, but protectively.
Animals often recognized fear long before people admitted it existed.
Victor leaned closer.
"When this is over, I'm not wasting money feeding that flea bag."
Ethan's face turned pale.
Daniel stepped forward.
"I already promised Ethan I'd take Buddy."
Victor slowly turned.
"You promised what?"
"I'll adopt him."
For a brief second, Victor's expression hardened into something cold and calculating.
Then it vanished behind a forced smile.
"Fine."
He shrugged.
"Less trouble for me."
But Daniel saw it.
That flash in Victor's eyes wasn't relief.
It was disappointment.
As if losing Buddy meant losing something far more valuable than a dog.
The realization settled heavily in Daniel's mind.
This story wasn't only about keeping a promise.
May you like
Somewhere beneath Victor's sudden willingness to give Buddy away...
another secret was waiting.
