Martin Riley told the nurse he'd be stepping out for a smoke and headed to the stairwell. He didn't smoke often, only when he was particularly stressed. Today, seeing Sylvia Byrne's eyes made him feel a deep sense of guilt toward her.
In the dark stairwell, the tiny red glow of his cigarette flickered, the tobacco sharpening Martin's senses and clearing his mind a bit. After sending a message to Henry, he put his phone away and returned to the hospital room.
Opening the door, he saw the mother and child sleeping peacefully together. Instinctively, Martin softened his steps, quietly approached the bed, tucked in the blanket corners, and then lay down on the nearby couch to rest.
---
As dawn broke and the light of day began to shine, the nanny arrived with breakfast. Crystal Foster and Otto were still asleep. Martin quickly ate his breakfast, gave a few instructions, and headed to the office.
