Chapter 5

"Ethan! Look at Mommy, deep breaths!"

Panicking, I flashed the flashlight on his face, my heart pounding so hard it nearly stopped beating.

I dialed Julian’s number frantically. It picked up after just one ring.

"Julian, Ethan’s having a severe asthma attack! The meds aren't working—he can barely breathe!" I screamed into the receiver. "Get back here right now and drive us to the hospital!"

Julian’s voice sounded just as panicked on the other end. "I’m already on my way back! I’ll be home in a minute!"

Five minutes later, Julian burst into the room. He scooped up Ethan, whose face was turning blue, and bolted downstairs.

I followed right on his heels.

We piled into the car, the SUV tearing through the torrential rain toward the town's general hospital.

Then, the car’s Bluetooth display lit up.

Helena’s name flashed across the screen.

Julian hit answer.

Instantly, Helena’s hysterical, desperate sobs erupted through the speakers, mixed with the deafening roar of shattering glass in the background.

"Julian, my basement flooded—it burst! Mason’s myocarditis flared up and he passed out! The emergency vehicles can't get through!"

Julian slammed on the brakes.

The tires screeched against the slick asphalt, bringing the car to a sudden, jarring halt at the curb.

"Helena, stay put! I’m coming right now!" Julian yelled into the mic before turning around to face us in the backseat.

"Julian... what are you doing?" I squeezed Ethan, who was twitching in agony, my voice trembling like a leaf in the wind.

Julian’s eyes were frantic.

"Mason passed out, and their house is miles away from the hospital. I have to go get them. We're only two blocks away from the hospital, Laura—just carry Ethan the rest of the way. It won't take long."

"Are you out of your mind?!" I screamed, my voice raw and shattered. "It’s pouring torrential rain out there! Ethan is literally suffocating—he can’t even stand!"

"Dad..." Ethan’s cyanotic lips struggled to form words, his eyes wide with desperate pleading. "Don't go... it hurts so much... Dad, please... stay with me..."

Looking at his son's eyes, filled with agonizing pain and terror, Julian’s body shook violently.

His fingers gripped the door handle so hard his knuckles turned dead white.

"Ethan... I’m sorry," Julian stammered, his teeth chattering. "Mason’s already unconscious. He’s younger than you, and he needs me more right now. The hospital is right up ahead—Mommy will get you there in time."

"Julian, if you walk out on us for them tonight, we are completely done!"

I grabbed his arm with all the strength I had left, tears mixing with cold sweat down my face. "I'm begging you... Ethan is your son! He needs you more!"

Julian yanked his arm out of my grip, avoiding my gaze, and growled with near-cruel intensity:

"Laura, stop wasting time!"

With that, he shoved the door open, darted across the street into a waiting taxi, and sped off into the storm.

Julian was gone.

Now, Ethan only had me.