AUTHOR’S POV
Wade rushes to the door as soon as he hears Mika cry, his chest tightening. He barely registers Lyrica's voice on the phone, muttering that he will call her back before hanging up, and his pulse quickens as he steps inside, ready to protect Mika from whatever has upset her—only to freeze in the doorway.
His breath catches. Channing is awake and the scene before him feels unreal. Mika clings to Channing like he is her lifeline, sobbing into his shoulder while Channing holds her just as tightly, whispering reassurances and Wade's world spins on its axis. Every sound except the thundering of his own heartbeat fades into the background as his chest tightens and his stomach knots.
His heart shatters repeatedly, each piece breaking sharper than the last. He had no idea it was po
