“Dr. Harrison,” she said, her voice shaking. “The transport team from Lake Forest is here. They have a signed court order from Judge Vance.”

Eleanor’s smile returned, cold and victorious.

“Your father has many friends on the bench, Ethan,” Eleanor said.

Ethan stood frozen, his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides.

I reached out, my fingers brushing against the cold metal of the bed rail, desperately trying to get his attention.

My gaze shifted back to the canvas bag on the chair.

I needed Ethan to look inside that bag.

If he saw the messages, he would know exactly how far his father was willing to go to keep us apart.

Ethan slowly turned his head to look at me, his eyes dark with a mixture of anger and desperation.

The nurse stood waiting in the doorway, while behind her, two men in dark suits appeared.

The tension in the room was thick, and the rain outside continued to beat against the glass.

I tapped my fingers against the metal rail, making a dull clicking sound.

Ethan looked down at my hand.