Chapter 24 - Chloe's First Steps
Six months after the trial, sunlight streamed through the high windows of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center[cite: 7].
With the synthetic poison completely flushed from her system, Chloe had undergone intensive daily physical therapy[cite: 7].
Marcus stood at the end of the parallel rehabilitation bars, holding out his hands with an encouraging smile[cite: 7].
"You can do it, sweetheart. Just one step at a time," Marcus encouraged gently[cite: 7].
Nurse Martha stood nearby, holding her breath with tears of hope brimming in her eyes[cite: 7].
Chloe took a deep breath, her little legs trembling as she lifted her right foot off the padded mat[cite: 7].
She took one step, then another, taking three complete steps forward until she fell safely into her father's arms[cite: 7].
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The room erupted into cheerful applause as Marcus lifted his daughter high into the air, laughing with pure joy[cite: 7].
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