The first cry was barely a hoarse, rough, almost broken thread.
But it was enough.
The entire room sprang back to life at once. The monitor emitted a distinct beep. A nurse spun around so fast she bumped into the door. The doctor, who had already removed his gloves, returned almost running, and Rafael Mendoza, still kneeling beside the gurney, raised his head like a man who hears his name from the bottom of a well.

Diego cried again.
Very weak.
Very brief.
But she cried.
“Pulse!” shouted one of the residents.
Then it all happened at once. Glove-covered hands. Oxygen. Curt orders. The white blanket hastily pulled aside. Carmen only took a step back when a neonatologist asked for the baby in a voice that no longer sounded defeated, but urgent. She handed him over, her arms trembling, as if something were being ripped from her chest.
Isabel began to cry silently. Rafael did not. Rafael remained motionless, watching as the small body that a minute before had seemed to be saying goodbye turned once again into a fight.
Fifteen minutes later, Diego was transferred to neonatal intensive care.
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