Ethan believed them without hesitation.
That faith vanished the instant he walked into the kitchen.
Claire sat beneath the dim yellow light wearing an old pink cardigan over a nursing tank top. Her dark hair was messy, her lips were cracked, and exhaustion had hollowed her eyes.
An opened package of noodles rested on the table, with its contents scattered across the scratched wooden surface.
A single glass of water sat beside it.
There was no soup.
No fruit.
No medication.
No real meal.
“Claire?”
She looked up immediately.
For one wonderful second, relief completely changed her expression.
“Ethan?”
Then she burst into tears.
He let his suitcase fall and rushed to her side.
“What happened? Are you hurt? Where is everyone?”
Claire tried to rise, but pain crossed her face.
“Don’t move,” Ethan said as he knelt beside her. “Please, just stay there.”
His eyes shifted toward the bassinet.
Baby Lily slept peacefully, wearing only a thin cotton onesie beneath the lightweight blanket.
