I touched his forehead with the back of my hand to check his temperature.

He was cool and dry.

Next was Sophia, her small thumb tucked near her mouth as she slept.

I adjusted the edge of her blanket, smoothing the soft cotton over her shoulders.

Then I checked Maya and Ethan Junior, both of them sleeping peacefully, oblivious to the storm outside.

I sat down in the wooden rocking chair in the corner of the room.

My heart was still beating too fast, a dull thud against my ribs.

I looked at the baby monitor on the small side table next to me.

The green indicator lights flickered with the soft sounds of their breathing.

If Daniel succeeded, these babies would be taken by strangers who did not know their patterns.

They would be separated and placed in different homes.

I could not let that happen.

I had lost my own family years ago, and the empty space in my chest had never truly healed.

Protecting these children was the only thing that made sense to me now.

The nursery door creaked open slightly.