By the time they arrived in Glimmerdale, it was 4 a.m.—the hour, as some say, when the mind is at its weakest and despair is the easiest to find.

Both Tristan and Nova were rushed into the hospital. Tristan’s fever had come down, but Lionel wasn’t taking any chances. He insisted Tristan be admitted and arranged for a full health check.

Not that Tristan cared. All he could think about was Nova. “When’s your friend getting here?” he asked, barely able to mask the ...