One of the guys nodded and signaled to the others. Together, they dragged Jack and Jessica out of the room. Once the room was quiet again, Ethan returned to my side, his expression softening. He gently lifted me into his arms and asked, “Do you want to go to the hospital?”

Choking back tears, I shook my head and clung to his arm. “I didn’t know… I thought you were here.”

Ethan paused for a moment before saying, “I know.” He leaned his cheek against ...