Ryan closed his eyes for a second. He wanted to explode, but Ethan was right there beside him.
He pulled out his phone and called his lawyer.
“Mark, I need to start custody proceedings right away. I’m not letting this happen again.”
“Send me everything. I’ll file first thing in the morning.”
Then Ryan looked at Ethan.
“We’re staying here tonight, okay? Close to your sister.”
“Can I stay with you forever?”
Ryan looked straight at him.
“Starting today, I’m not letting go.”
He spent the whole night beside Lily’s hospital bed while Ethan slept on a couch under a blanket a nurse had given him. By morning, the social worker had more questions, and Ryan answered all of them. If reports had to be filed, so be it. His only job now was protecting his kids.
Then the nurse returned with better news.
“Your daughter is awake.”
Ethan lit up.
They went in together. Lily looked weak, but when she saw her brother, she held out her arms.
“I missed you,” Ethan whispered.
“Me too,” Lily whispered back.
Ryan stroked both their heads.
“You’re going to be okay. I promise.”
Later that day, Ryan got a call saying Nicole had woken up and wanted to see him. He drove over. She looked bruised, exhausted, and ashamed.