The pediatric waiting room was small, with plastic chairs and a low table covered in children’s books.

Lauren was sitting on the floor, her small legs crossed.

She was coloring a picture of a house with a yellow crayon.

A nurse was sitting nearby, reading a medical journal.

When the door squeaked, Lauren looked up.

Her face brightened when she saw me, then she looked at Ethan with quiet curiosity.

“Evelyn,” she said, running over to wrap her arms around my knees.

“Hi, sweetie,” I said, patting her back. “Did you finish your drawing?”

“Yes,” she said, pointing to the paper on the floor.

“It’s a house with a big garden.”

Ethan knelt down on the linoleum floor, bringing himself to her eye level.

He looked at her with an expression I had never seen on a businessman’s face.

It was a mix of intense love and absolute terror.

“Hello, Lauren,” Ethan said softly.

She looked at his dark wool coat, then at his eyes.

“Are you the man from the picture in Mama’s drawer?” she asked.

Ethan’s breath hitched.

“Yes,” he said. “I am.”