The hospital called and said a little boy had listed me as his emergency contact. I laughed nervously and said, “That’s impossible. I’m 32, single, and I don’t have a son.” But when they told me he wouldn’t stop asking for me, I drove there… and the moment I walked into his room, my world stopped…

Ethan barely slept. Every loud noise startled him awake.

At 7:12 a.m., Daniel Mercer arrived.

I recognized him instantly.

Older now. Cleaner. Better dressed.

But his eyes were exactly the same.

Cold beneath the charm.

He approached the nurses’ station carrying legal documents.

“My son is here,” he said smoothly. “Ethan Mercer.”

Denise remained calm, exactly as Detective Cole instructed.

Inside the room, Ethan heard his father’s voice.

His entire body went rigid.

“He can’t come in,” he whispered.

“He won’t,” I promised.

Daniel saw me through the room window.

Recognition flickered across his face.