“TELL THEM I DIED!” THE LITTLE GIRL PLEADED TO THE DOCTORS, BEGGING THEM NOT TO SEND HER BACK TO

“Say I died,” the little girl pleaded, crying to the doctors and asking them not to return her to her adoptive parents. Hours later, something terrifying was discovered.

At first sight, Fred seemed like a typical young man of his generation. He had a nice apartment, an expensive car, and a stylish haircut. In reality, the last one was the sole thing that remained some link between him and a radical transformation that had occurred in his life. Very often, he wore a hat to hide his haircut. He was no longer just the stylish young man; he was the head of the Pediatrics Department within a renowned hospital.

When his parents saw him with a stethoscope, they were initially shocked. They wanted him to run their family business. After a year of a particularly rebellious youth, they thought, “Let the boy follow what he wants as long as he doesn’t do anything wrong.” They were afraid to lose their only son. That year that he was studying so intensely, they secretly hoped for him to quit. He did not.

After his first year at the university, Fred went abroad. To express his excitement, when he returned, he claimed to his parents, “You have no idea about the level of medicine there. They invited me for the weekend so I could be in the Pediatrics Department for a few days. It’s incredible! One day I will be a great doctor.”

His parents looked at each other; it was not a secret to him how surprised they were by the extent of his change. It was his father who, filled with pride days later, stated, “If you stick another year, I’m sending you to study abroad. My son deserves the best education.”

His path as a dedicated pediatric doctor had begun. Fred’s father had to honor his word. Indeed, a few years later, Fred returned home with his brand-new diploma, a thousand ideas, and the urge to resurrect all the children in the world.

During a dinner where attractive young women, daughters of family friends, had been invited to meet him in a desperate attempt by one of those to finally get married, his father announced, “Son, I respect your choice, and I’m very happy we have a doctor in the family. But you understand, you cannot work in a common hospital, right?”

He was not paying much attention, talking to one of the girls. “Dad, why?”

“Well, first, you won’t make much money there. Second, why all the children from disadvantaged families? Any father would want a more prestigious hospital for his son to work.”

Fred replied with a smile, “Dad, I’ll work in a common hospital. It’s there where I can spread my services, and the children are not the ones to blame for their families.”

He did not insist. For the first time as he spoke, Fred noticed that the interest disappeared from the eyes of the young guests.

He worked almost two years on the front lines of medicine, mainly in the emergency room. Children of all kinds passed through there. The hospital director told him something that stayed engraved in his memory: “Until you learn to also feel the children’s pain, you won’t be a good doctor.”

Fred, always remembering those words, knew that a doctor needs to keep a cool mind to make a correct diagnosis. At the beginning of his career, he wanted to cry every time he treated a seriously ill child. Over time, he learned to control his emotions, understanding that in an emotionally disturbed state, one can’t even administer an injection correctly. Although he still cared deeply, he did not allow his heart to be moved too much.

Three months ago, the director called him to his office.

“Sit down, Fred,” he said.

Fred sat down, remembering that the director was known for his fairness but also for his rigidity. Many entered his office expecting praise and left without a job. Fred tried to recall any mistake he could have made, but nothing serious came to mind.

“How are you, Fred? All good?” asked Mark, the director.

“All good, Mark. I like my job, and everything satisfies me,” replied Fred.

“You’re the first I’ve heard say that in years. Normally everyone complains about something, be it the salary or the schedule.”

“For me, everything is fine.”

“I’ve heard about your successes, Fred—the extra shifts beyond the usual. In short, only positive comments. When I hired you, I was sure you’d leave in a month. I even made a bet with one of the supervisors, but I lost.”

The young man began to listen more attentively.

“Well, let’s get to the point. The head of your department is retiring, and we need a good doctor to lead it. I’ve reviewed all the candidates, and I’m sure no one but you can lead this role.”

Fred was surprised; becoming head at 30 was no small feat, but he did not consider himself the best. There were more experienced doctors around.

“I’ve already signed the order. Even starting tomorrow, come directly to your new office. They’ll change the plaque today,” concluded Mark with a genuine smile on his face.

Not much time has passed since then. For everyone, it seemed Fred had always been the boss. His commitment to medicine and his empathy towards young patients were now more evident than ever, solidifying his position not only as a leader but as someone dedicated to the well-being of all children who passed through his hands.

Initially, Fred’s father insisted he move to a private clinic, but everything changed when Fred was promoted. His father, realizing his son’s commitment and passion, offered to sponsor the hospital.

“Tell me what you need, son. I’ll sponsor your department,” he said with a resigned sigh.

Fred, moved, hugged his father, expressing his gratitude and explaining that he would be happy with any help. Though there were many needs, under Fred’s new leadership and with financial support, the department transformed into an exemplary model of pediatric care. Even the parents of the wealthiest children began to reconsider their options, debating whether to take them to a private clinic or to Fred’s department.

Thanks to his father’s commitment, new equipment was acquired, the infrastructure underwent significant reform, and the playroom received a huge television. The doctors there worked out of vocation, unlike in private clinics, where often the children of wealthy parents who had bought their education were treated.

Spring arrived, and one day, Fred went out earlier than usual, reflecting on how mornings with his mother were as refreshing as a cold bath. The morning topic was always the same: “Dear son, you’re over 30 years old and still not married,” followed by long lists of acquaintances who already had grandchildren, then those who had children, and finally those who had at least found their other halves. Fred had not yet reached any of these milestones, and his mother always asked worriedly what was going on.

Fred did not have the heart to tell his mother that all those conversations were somewhat oppressive for him. He listened patiently, sometimes giving some signs of life. He even had a few girlfriends, including a promising relationship with an intelligent and resourceful woman. But as soon as the relationships got serious and lasted more than a few weeks, everyone seemed to start making plans about how he should quit the public hospital and open his own clinic. Fred, for his part, was committed to his work and to the patients he loved to care for, making it difficult to reconcile these expectations of a relationship with his passion for medicine.

Fred understood that his commitment to work was an essential part of who he was, and he was not willing to change that for anyone. Unfortunately, mutual understanding in his romantic relationships quickly disappeared, forcing the young man to erase another number from his phone book.

The last situation had been particularly complicated. Fred had a brief involvement with a very attractive brunette woman, accustomed to male attention and determined in her goals. At that moment, she wanted to be Fred’s wife. When she realized he was not willing to change his life plans for her, she immediately walked away.

Mark smiled, relieved. “I appreciate it, Fred. This friend of mine and I grew up together; it seems I can’t deny him anything. I really didn’t know if I could help him in this situation.”

Fred reassured him. “Don’t worry. It won’t be necessary to reorganize the team. The girls in the department will be delighted to have extra help.”

Fred walked through the department with firm steps, entering the room of the newly arrived patients. There, he comforted a girl who, in tears, confessed it was her third time in the hospital, unable to bear her mother’s absence since the first. After calming her, Fred returned to his office to prepare for the daily round. As he settled in, someone knocked on the door.

“Come in,” he said without looking up from the papers. To his surprise, a dazzling figure appeared at the door—a true spectacle to behold. She was a young woman of medium height, endowed with a proportionally harmonious body. What really caught the eye, however, was her hair—a vivid red tied in a braid that barely contained the energy of the strands. Her green eyes shone intensely, complemented by full, inviting lips. A simple but captivating beauty.

“Hello, Mark sent me,” the young woman began. The instant she spoke, her face turned an intense red, revealing her shyness.

Fred, surprised by the apparition, took a moment to gather his thoughts. “Ah, yes, yes. I spoke with him this morning. I didn’t expect you to arrive so quickly.”

She smiled, revealing a row of snow-white teeth. “It’s because I live very close.”

Fred mentally kicked himself for not remembering that the young woman lived in the student house of the institute located just a few buildings away from the hospital. He would have slapped his forehead if he weren’t trying to maintain composure in front of the new team member.

Fred checked the clock and realized it was time for his round. “Well, I have a round now. If you’d like, you can

accompany me. Afterwards, we’ll talk about the work.”

“Oh yes, with pleasure. What’s your name?” asked the young woman, a sparkle of interest in her eyes.

“My name is Fred,” he replied as they began their round through the hospital.

During the tour, Fred observed the patients attentively, giving instructions and chatting with the children. CLA, the young woman, followed him, watching his every action with admiration. At the end of the round, back in the office, CLA expressed her determination.

“I’m sure I’ll become a doctor as good as you.”

“And you think I’m a good doctor?” asked Fred, half-joking, half-serious.

“Of course you are. Do you think I came here by chance? A few months ago, you cured a girl from our village. I remember how much her parents suffered during the treatment and how many hospitals they visited before finding you.”

Fred remembered Sarah, the girl whose parents, out of ignorance, almost killed her with harmful herbal infusions for children. He relived the anger he felt that day, scolding the parents in the consultation and explaining the serious consequences of those “vitamins.”

“Our world is really small,” concluded CLA. “Sarah’s mother says you were an angel for them.”

Fred smiled. “Well, sit down. I’m going to call the head nurse. We’ll see how we can organize your schedule.”

Jess, the head nurse, was known for her imposing presence and professionalism. When she appeared, all the nurses lined up. But her expression changed radically when it came to the children; her soft voice and gentle hands calmed even the most restless little ones. At first, Fred had his doubts about the woman, observing how the other nurses feared her. His opinion changed when he saw Jess taking care of a child who had fallen off a slide and was severely injured. Her ability to calm the child and manage the situation showed Fred that despite her severe demeanor, she had a heart of gold.

The mother of the injured child was stuck in traffic and would arrive in about 30 minutes. Desperate, she tried to speak with her son over the phone through the nanny, but the child, between sobs, refused to talk. The crying was so loud that almost half the hospital congregated in the waiting room, worried. That’s when Jess, the head nurse, appeared.

With her arrival, everyone stepped aside, creating a space around her and the child. For a moment, the crying ceased, but it was just a pause for him to catch his breath. Jess approached calmly and began to speak to him in a kind and understanding manner. To everyone’s surprise, the child not only stopped crying but also allowed Jess to give him an injection. In five minutes, the medication took effect, and they could finally begin the examination.

After the incident, Fred found Jess in her office, looking thoughtfully out the window. When he entered, she stood up. Fred was initially puzzled but soon realized that Jess understood situations just by looking at them, and his previous dissatisfactions were unfounded. Fred reviewed her file—15 years of experience with children was worth its weight in gold.

“Jess, I’ve come to apologize. Now I see there’s much more to you than I realized. You’re the best pediatric nurse I know, and I would be delighted if we could be friends.”

For the first time in all their collaboration, Fred saw tears in Jess’s eyes. Since then, they became true friends. Little by little, Fred realized Jess handled the children with incredible skill. She was an expert in her field, from administering medications to bureaucratic organization, always keeping everything in perfect order.

Upon discovering that CLA had been recruited to the department, Jess couldn’t hide her surprise and immediately sought out the new team member. “It seems my prayers have been answered. We really needed a new doctor around here. Welcome, CLA,” she exclaimed excitedly. “I hope you’re married because the singles tend to cause quite a stir around here,” she said jokingly.

CLA smiled and said, “Ah, thank you very much for the welcome. But no, I’m not married, and I don’t plan to do so until I get my diploma. My priority is to establish myself as a doctor, and everything else comes after.”

Fred looked at her, surprised. After all, she spoke exactly like him—single and focused on medicine. CLA began to work, and Jess reported in detail on the new doctor’s performance. Fred initially didn’t understand why, but soon realized that Jess thought CLA was his protégé, so he decided to clarify things immediately.

Entering the nurse’s office, he said, “May I come in?”

“Of course, Fred, come in. I wouldn’t mind at all if you invited me for tea or coffee,” replied Jess with a smile, looking even younger.

Fred, wanting to clear up the misunderstanding, suggested a cappuccino—a drink he hadn’t had in years but liked. As they served the cappuccino, Fred began, “It seems there has been some misunderstanding between us. CLA has no relation to me; she’s the niece of a great friend of the medical director. So you don’t need to report her actions to me. She’s completely under your command. You can scold her, praise her, and everything else.”

Jess, surprised, responded, “Did you really think I didn’t know anything? I know she’s here, and she came on the medical director’s recommendation.”

Fred, making a vague gesture near his hair, referring to CLA’s size, continued, “Also, I see that you like her very much.”

“Your opinion is completely wrong,” he continued. “I like thin and tall girls,” said Fred.

Jess laughed again, realizing Fred’s confusion. “You really don’t know what you like. Tall and thin girls are in fashion, so you think you like them. It’s like with shoes; you’ll always love and wear what’s in fashion. But at home, you’ll gladly put on old, worn slippers and think about how good it is that no one sees your true love.”

The unusual analogy left Fred thoughtful. Of course, the head nurse was right, but he definitely didn’t like CLA. She wasn’t his type, period. However, from that day on, Jess seemed to have cursed the young man with a kind of spell. He began to notice CLA constantly, his eyes fixing on her involuntarily, and noticing characteristics in her that he had previously ignored. When their gazes met, Fred felt embarrassed and uncomfortable, averting his eyes.

CLA had been working at the hospital for two months and had made friends with almost all the nurses. Fred noticed that Jess had never been rude to the young woman, something noteworthy considering that even the medical director held the head nurse in high regard. CLA’s success at the hospital was not solely due to her recommendation for the position; in fact, she was performing her duties exceptionally well.

Later, on a hot summer day, with half the doctors on vacation, Fred was left on night duty and, for the first time, had to share the shift with CLA. He didn’t know if he was happy or disappointed about it, but one thing was clear—he wouldn’t be able to sleep after the night round.

Suddenly, Fred found himself hurriedly following CLA to the emergency room, where a pale and clearly ill girl was being attended to. She complained and vomited while her mother beside her spoke non-stop, scolding the girl harshly. “What a child, what a child! Always have to watch her. As soon as I look away, she’s already up to some mischief,” lamented the mother without a hint of sympathy for her daughter’s condition.

The girl looked at her mother with tear-filled eyes, trying to defend herself, but was immediately silenced.

“Shut up, damn it. Only problems come from you,” said the mother.

Fred had never seen such cruel treatment towards a child. Usually, mothers were more scared than the children, and in serious cases, some even fainted. However, this case was different.

“Please don’t upset the girl,” Fred requested of the mother. “Leave the office.”

The woman looked at him with hatred, but Fred ignored her, maintaining his focus on the girl, who looked at him with teary eyes. Then CLA entered the room and lightly touched Fred’s arm, asking to speak with him. They stepped out of the room, and the girl cried, pleading not to be returned to her mother.

“Say I died, but please don’t send me back to that house,” she repeated while tears fell down her face.

CLA showed Fred that in the documents, it was written that the woman was not her biological mother but her guardian, like an adoptive mother. Before returning to the consultation, Fred looked out the window and saw a man smoking. Smoking was extremely prohibited in that environment. The young man was facing away, so Fred couldn’t see his face.

“I’ll deal with it later,” he thought.

After briefly examining the girl and noticing clear signs of malnutrition, Fred called her mother for a conversation. As soon as she entered the room, he carefully explained, “She’s complaining of a strong pain in her belly, so we’re going to hospitalize her until we figure out her body’s reaction to the medications. So, until the tests are ready, she’ll have to stay in the hospital.”

The mother, however, insisted on taking the girl back with her. “She’s going home. I know her very well; she’s capable of doing anything here,” said the mother, grabbing the girl who was still crying.

Fred knew he had to act quickly to protect the girl, especially after noticing her reaction, which raised suspicions of mistreatment. Thus, he began to organize the necessary procedures to keep her in the hospital despite the mother’s protests. It was a difficult situation, but the girl’s health and safety were the priority.

By the end of the afternoon, Fred tried to calm the girl’s mother, who was making a scene in the waiting room due to her daughter’s hospitalization.

“Please calm down,” he gently requested. “It’s decided; we’ll keep

the girl here to receive the appropriate treatments. But she’ll return home as soon as she recovers.”

The woman, seeming about to explode with anger, managed to control herself as she left the place with a threatening whisper. She promised Fred, “You’ll regret this. I’ll find a way to make you pay.”

As soon as she left, the little girl looked at Fred with grateful eyes and whispered a shy, “Thank you,” before succumbing to bitter tears. Fred then went to the hospital director’s office and said, “I need to take a walk to clear my head. I’ll be back in half an hour. Is that okay?”

Mark agreed, and Fred took the opportunity to inform him about the incident with the woman. “I want you to be aware,” Fred said. “I have a feeling this woman is going to cause trouble somewhere.”

Mark, understanding, assured him, “Don’t worry, Fred. I’ll take care of everything. Do what you think is necessary.”

When he returned from his walk, Fred filled out the medical forms for the girl. She was 11 years old but appeared even smaller. Now, finally, he could examine her carefully to discover if it was a case of poisoning or something even more serious.

Although it was already getting dark, he noticed, strangely, that the lights in the girl’s room were off. As he approached the door, he stopped upon seeing CLA beside the girl’s bed, who was named Elizabeth, holding her hand and venting while CLA listened attentively, asking questions from time to time. Through Elizabeth’s tears, Fred could understand the broken heart of the girl.

“Please don’t send me back,” she begged. “I can’t take it anymore. Our adoptive father beats us. If we do something wrong, he sends us directly from school to the greenhouses and then to the stable. We have a huge farm, but only we work there.

Do you know what we eat? Our adoptive mother brings expired food from the supermarket, even the moldy ones, saying they’re for the pigs. Even the pigs eat better than us. I only eat well at school, where they give us free food. Yesterday, our adoptive father was drunk and forced us to eat expired yogurts. I felt sick right away, and when I complained, he hit me in the stomach. Since then, I’ve been getting worse every day. This morning, he brought me to the hospital.”

Scared, at that moment, Fred realized that the mysterious man he had seen smoking earlier was indeed Elizabeth’s father. Hearing all these words from a child, Fred felt a mix of anger and compassion. It was evident that she needed help, and he was determined to do everything in his power to protect her.

CLA, already worried, asked Elizabeth to tell them more about the situation at her home. She revealed that she was not the only adoptive child on the farm; there were three other girls, all younger than her, between 8 and 10 years old. She was the eldest, but she didn’t understand why they had specifically chosen her, a girl who could barely carry a bucket of oats.

Fred felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing those words. He had encountered cases of abuse before, but facing this reality again was always shocking. Then he turned on the light, asking why they were sitting in the dark.

CLA, with a sad smile, replied that they were so distracted talking that they forgot to turn on the light.

As CLA was preparing to examine Elizabeth, she suddenly stopped, looking puzzled at Fred. In the examination, Fred noticed the mark of the father’s boot on the girl’s abdomen, in addition to various bruises and signs of severe malnutrition. After half an hour, upon learning the whole truth, Mark, in his office, was so outraged by the situation that he took pills to calm his nerves and, without wasting time, picked up his phone and called the police.

Soon, the police arrived, followed by a social worker in charge of removing the children from that abusive house. Before leaving, the social worker asked if she could bring Elizabeth’s sisters to also be examined, which was immediately approved. The night was already ending when Mark went home, leaving CLA and Fred alone again. Fred then invited the young woman to have a coffee, a small gesture of consolation after such a heavy day full of painful revelations. CLA, visibly affected by the severity of the events, agreed to have a cup.

While preparing the drink, they reflected on the situation, unable to understand how someone could exploit orphaned children in that way.

“How is it possible?” she asked. “They already lost their own parents. They should have more compassion.”

Fred, with a tired look, replied, “CLA, you think that way because you are human, but those people are not like us.”

He explained that probably the farm was a lucrative business for the adoptive parents, who, in addition to receiving a lot of money from the state, subjected the children to forced labor every day, generating even more profits.

At dawn, the police and social worker returned from the suspect’s house. The social worker, shocked, repeated, “This is horrible, truly horrible.” The police’s suspicions were confirmed. The couple was arrested, revealing that it was not the first time they had abused children under their care. Years before, two girls had fled after reaching the age of majority and testified against them. Furthermore, a corruption scheme was discovered within the social services, with someone accepting money to deliver children to abusive families.

Fred watched her, surprised. He hadn’t realized before just how big her heart was.

“Let’s go to a restaurant,” he suggested. “We need a distraction, and maybe the solution will appear on its own.”

CLA, taken aback by the invitation, agreed. By the end of the night, after a deep and comforting conversation, Fred realized something—he was deeply in love with CLA.

The next day, on his day off, he visited his parents, seeking advice and comfort. His mother welcomed him warmly, while his father watched him with a proud look. Sitting at the table, Fred shared news from work and the recent challenges with his latest patient, Elizabeth. His mother, normally a vibrant figure, barely touched her food after hearing the sad story of Elizabeth and her sisters.

“We have to take care of these girls, especially Elizabeth,” she murmured. “They need to get through this.”

His father, a man of influence and connections, remained silent, his gaze fixed on his son as if trying to read his deepest thoughts.

“There’s something more you want to tell us, isn’t there?” he asked with a firm voice.

Fred took a deep breath before revealing his secret. “Yes, I have something more to say. Dad, Mom, I’ve met an incredible girl named CLA. She is one of the doctors I work with, and I truly love her. I want to ask her to marry me. I know our social circle might not understand, but I’m determined to do it.”

His words fell like a stone in water, creating ripples of surprise and reflection. For a moment, silence reigned in the family. Fred’s father always had the last word, but now all eyes were on him, waiting for a response that did not come.

“Mom, what should I do now?” Fred asked anxiously, perceiving the importance of the moment.

His mother suggested, “Why don’t you use your grandmother’s engagement ring for the proposal?”

With those words, she stood up and went to fetch the jewel, leaving the two men alone. Fred looked at his father, searching for a sign of approval or rejection. After a long moment, his father nodded and smiled understandingly.

“Dad, thank you for understanding,” said Fred with relief and gratitude, knowing that despite the differences, family love and support prevailed.

On a hectic morning, Fred was driven by uncontrollable energy. He had a shift ahead of him, but his mind was elsewhere. Running through the hospital corridors, he surprised everyone with his haste until he abruptly entered Elizabeth’s room. There, he found CLA, the woman who occupied his thoughts, reading a book by the girl’s side. Both looked at him in surprise. The door opened again, and Jess, the head nurse, appeared, curious about the commotion.

However, Fred was in his own world, focused only on CLA.

“Marry me, CLA. I love you and promise to be a good father to Elizabeth,” he declared with a mix of nervousness and sincerity.

Jess smiled discreetly and closed the door, leaving them alone. She had encouraged CLA to seek advice from Fred on adopting Elizabeth, despite not being sure of his feelings for her. Now, her intuition seemed correct. CLA, astonished by the sudden proposal, didn’t know what to say. Then Elizabeth, with a mischievous smile, revealed she had heard CLA confess her love for Fred. CLA blushed, and Fred smiled, feeling relieved.

Fred then took out the family engagement ring and placed it on CLA’s finger, explaining the plans for the next day—first the civil registry, then the celebration at one of the city’s best restaurants.

At the restaurant, after the civil ceremony, they were surprised by the social worker, who had a surprise that might be the best gift of their lives—a file with documents officializing Elizabeth as the couple’s adopted daughter. Elizabeth ran into Fred’s arms, who lifted her in a loving hug. At that moment, Fred’s parents approached, and for an instant, everyone forgot the other guests. The life of this family had taken a new direction, reaching a new level of happiness and unity.