Time stood still, freezing fifteen years of love in memory's amber—what remained between them now were just ghosts of what used to be.
Tracy's body trembled violently. All her principles crumbled before the raw power of family ties.
"Okay."
The single syllable tore from her trembling lips like a wounded bird. Every tick of the clock stretched into eons of agony.
"My precious daughter," her father's voice cracked. "I'll spend whatever time I have left making it up to you."
Like a dam bursting, Tracy's composure shattered into uncontrollable weeping.
"Tracy, sweetheart, you mustn't cry like this," Heather said soothingly, her voice dripping with concern—whether genuine or not. "Your injuries are serious—we couldn't bear it if something happened." She guided Tracy away from Ethan with h
