Wrapped in hospital stripes.
“Is that…” His voice faltered.
Ava followed his gaze.
“Yes.”
He took a step closer.
Then another.
Like approaching something that might disappear.
Inside—
A tiny face.
Eyes closed.
Breathing soft and steady.
His son.
Elias exhaled sharply, like the air had been knocked out of him.
“I missed everything,” he whispered.
Ava didn’t respond.
Because she had already lived through it.
Alone
