Part 3:

By the next morning, Patricia had called eleven times and left four voicemails. Melissa had also sent a long rant accusing Ethan of being “dramatic,” “controlling,” and “brainwashed by Lauren.” Ethan didn’t read any of it aloud.

Noah’s fever had dropped to 100.9. He still looked miserable, but he managed to drink water from his dinosaur cup and eat half a banana while sitting in Ethan’s lap. That tiny improvement eased the tension hanging over the house.

Lauren slept until ten in the morning.

Ethan protected that sleep like something sacred.