My eyes flutter open, the throb is still there but not as crucial as before. I sit up, looking around the hospital room. Carlos is nowhere around. It stings my heart but the moment, flashback of the earthquake hits me, my worry for my children takes over.

Oh God, they were at school. Liam probably is at his building dealing with the mess— if there was any. My children must be scared. I climb down the bed, look at the IV, almost ready to pull it out but the door opens behind me.

“Dear, ...