Two days later, Julian went into surgery.

It lasted forever. Felix threw everything he had into it. His scrubs looked like they’d been hauled out of water, soaked through. The other doctors and nurses were the same—pushing themselves to the limit.

All the way until evening, the Hales stayed in the corridor, not daring to leave.

Jeffrey and his wife even more so.

Francesca’s waist was injured. Mrs. Jonathan brought over a chair and ...