car barely missing the curb. She didn't bother taking off he

med as she burst th

l body slumped. His skin was the color of printer paper. Two thick red lines dri

aked through, a heavy, wet mass of crimson. The little boy didn't even fli

arms. The blood smeared across her silk dress, warm and

t, her heels slipping on the concrete steps. She buckled him into hi

ispered, stroking his co

running red lights. She pulled into the emergency bay at NewYork-Presb

ng!" Kiley screamed, st

rney and wheeled him through the double doors. Ki

d to wait here.

with blood. Her silk dress, soaked through with blood, stiffened. A wave

to call Aden. Despite everything,

en twice, until it was finally picked u

not to call-" Ade

rd it. A woman's laugh, soft and br

ling. "Jules is in the hospital. He

nose again? Kiley, I'm busy. Kids

rieked. "He looks like he'

leed," Aden said, his tone hardening.

ne wen

room. The laughter echoed in her head. He was with her. While hi

d overhead, casting a sickly pallor on her reflection. She looked ins

Aiden. Pearls, to wipe away tears. She unfastened the necklace; the tiny pearls touched her fingertips,

e scrubs was looking for her. His face was grave. H

rost?"

How

d. "His blood is not clotting. We've stabilized the bleeding for now, but w

gs turning to jelly. She reached out, grabbi

e doctor said gently.

alked into Jules's room. He was hooked up to an IV, his tiny

ue beneath the heavy lids. "Mommy,

She took his cold little hand in hers, squeez

leep. Then she stood up, her back aching, and walked out into th

thumb hovered over the "Block" button. She thought of the

ngs. She needed clothes, his favorite blanket,

coconut shells. On the dining table, the divorce papers , which she had frantically toss

up the silver-framed wedding photo. She an

he desperation-it all coalesced into a single, burning point.

e hardwood. A piece of glass sliced her finger. Blood welled up, bright red, dri

er the broken frame, leaving a bloody

n the floor. The dress was Aiden's favorite style. In their sev

set of sportswear, put i

as different. It was no longer the fear of losing her husband , but a mother's intense and terrifying