Chapter 3

Charles stood there, stunned, like he'd been struck by lightning.

The hospital bag slipped from his hands and hit the floor.

The little socks he'd picked out rolled halfway out.

"What?" he whispered.

The doctor looked up at him. "Are you Emily's family?"

His lips went pale. "I am."

"The baby didn't make it. The body is temporarily registered under the mother's name. We need you to confirm."

Charles swayed on his feet.

He grabbed the wall, his chest rising and falling with heavy, ragged breaths.

The next second, it was like a drowning man finally got a breath of…