When my daughter was rushed to the hospital, I thought the worst was over. Then the doctor pulled me aside, gave me an envelope, and told me to vanish with my grandchildren before nightfall.

Lily’s entire body went rigid.

Before she could speak, Brent appeared at the end of the hallway in a pressed gray shirt, looking irritated more than frightened.

“Margaret,” he said. “You didn’t need to come.”

“My daughter is in the hospital.”

“She fainted. The children overreacted.”

Noah started crying without making a sound.

That was when a doctor stepped out of Emily’s room. He looked middle-aged and exhausted, with serious eyes that missed nothing.

“Mrs. Lawson?”