Ethan POV
My car screeched to a halt in the gravel lot outside the blue sign–lit motel. Police cruisers were stacked behind me, officers fanning out with weapons drawn and radios crackling urgent instructions. My heart pounded as I spotted the door marked “8” near the end of the row, its curtains drawn tight. I could hear a baby’s faint cries through the thin motel walls—a sound that nearly brought me to my knees.
Inside, chaos erupted. I heard Cody’s wild voice, shouting at Lila, and Lila sobbing as she clutched Nora—our Nora—close to her chest. Boots thundered down the hallway. “You told!” Cody screamed. “You ruined everything! Give her to me!”
Lila backed away, holding Nora tighter, her voice pleading. “Don’t hurt her! It’s not too late, Cody. Just stop.” But Cody was beyond reason,
