Gregory’s throat tightened. He saw his own reflection in her eyes, and he did not like what he saw.
Sirens suddenly cut through the night. Blue and red light flashed across the walls. Jonah had slipped away earlier, unnoticed, and now stood outside with police officers rushing forward. Victor cursed, cutting the rope from Lillian’s wrists before pushing her toward her father.
“This is not over,” Victor said. “Remember what neglect costs.”
He vanished through a back window, disappearing into the rain and darkness.
Gregory pulled Lillian into his arms. For the first time in years, he held her without glancing at a watch, without checking a phone. Her heartbeat pressed against his chest, real and undeniable.
At Harborview Medical Center, doctors confirmed dehydration, bruises, and exhaustion, but no life threatening injury. Lillian was placed under care. Gregory remained beside her bed through the night, ignoring every call that came to his phone.
Jonah sat in a chair in the hallway, his feet swinging slightly, eyes finally heavy with sleep.
When dawn light entered the window, Lillian reached for her father’s hand.