The following day, Ares’s private jet arrived early. While Winona and Jackson ate breakfast, Ares handled the final discharge papers, moving with a focused intensity to get them out of the hospital as quickly as possible.

"Mommy, when will we come back here?" Jackson asked, his lip jutting out in a slight pout. He had been campaigning to stay for at least two more days.

"We will return when your sibling arrives," Winona replied with a small, reassuring smile. "That way, both of you can see ...