Dr. Shah stepped closer to the bed and checked the monitor next to my pillow.

“Your vitals are stable, Claire,” he said.

“The exhaustion was severe, but the fluids are helping.”

“I want to keep you overnight for observation, but you should be able to go home tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you,” I said.

“Can my children visit?”

“I would prefer you rest tonight,” Dr. Shah said.

“But tomorrow, once we discharge you, you can see them.”

He scribbled something on his chart and looked at Daniel.

“Mr. Whitmore, a word outside, please?”

Daniel nodded and followed the doctor into the hallway.

Through the small glass pane in the heavy wooden door, I watched them talk.

Dr. Shah was speaking seriously, pointing to his clipboard.

Daniel was listening, his head bowed, his hands shoved deep into his trouser pockets.

I looked down at the pale blue hospital gown I was wearing.

I felt so weak, so small in this vast machine of a hospital.

And back at the estate, my two little boys were waiting, completely unaware of the storm that was about to break over their heads.