“You can stay here with the child, but only one of you can go in to see Mary at a time.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” I said.

Dr. Rao nodded and walked back through the double doors, the lock clicking shut behind her.

Ethan stood in the middle of the corridor, staring at his shoes.

“Ethan,” I said again, my voice firmer this time.

“What is going on?”

He slowly walked over to us, his expensive leather shoes squeaking slightly on the linoleum.

He sat down in the plastic chair next to mine, burying his face in his hands.

His fingers dragged through his dark hair.

“Mary tried to reach me,” he said, his voice muffled by his palms.

I looked down at Lauren, making sure her eyes were still closed.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Five years ago,” Ethan said, looking up at me with bloodshot eyes.

“Right after she found out she was pregnant.”

“She didn’t just disappear, Evelyn. She tried to get help.”

My heart gave a heavy thud against my ribs.