Julia POV
The authorities searched Cody’s hideout, but he was gone—vanished without a trace. The basement was empty, only the mattress and a few personal effects left behind. His car was abandoned several blocks away, and neighbors hadn’t seen him in days. The police launched a manhunt, but Cody seemed to have melted into the city’s shadows.
The days that followed were a time of healing and adjustment for me. I struggled with nightmares, waking in a cold sweat to Ethan’s soothing voice. I clung to him, needing the reassurance of his presence, grateful for every gentle touch and whispered promise. Our home became my sanctuary, a place to rebuild my strength and trust.
At my first doctor’s appointment after my return, I braced myself for bad news. But the ultrasound showed a strong, stead
