Chapter 53
Ethan lay awake long after Lila had fallen asleep. Her body was warm against his side, one arm draped across his chest, but the peace didn’t reach him. Every time he closed his eyes he saw the photo she had described—two identical boys in matching outfits, their names written underneath in neat handwriting. Twins. The word kept repeating in his head until it felt like it was burning a hole through his skull.
He couldn’t wait until morning. He couldn’t pretend to sleep while his father sat in that office acting like nothing had changed. Ethan slipped out of bed carefully, pulled on jeans and a shirt, and left without waking her. The drive to the hospital felt endless. His hands gripped the wheel too tight the whole way.
When he reached the top floor the hallway was empty. Rich
